Saving for retirement is a major undertaking for most of us. Increasing healthcare costs and longer life expectancies make the hill a bit steeper to climb each year. Health savings accounts (HSA) provide another vehicle to save for retirement.

Many of you have the option to enroll in high-deductible insurance plans that allow the use of a health savings account via your employer. An HSA can serve as an additional retirement savings vehicle on top of your IRA or 401(k) to help cover healthcare and other retirement expenses.

The rising cost of healthcare in retirement 

According to Fidelity an average couple both aged 65 will spend $295,000 on medical costs in retirement. This is up from $285,000 in 2019, from $275,000 in 2017 and from $220,000 in 2014. The estimate was $190,000 in their 2005 survey.

This is a significant amount even for retirees with a retirement nest egg in excess of $1 million.

High deductible health insurance plans 

Health insurance plans with an annual deductible of at least $1,4000 for a single person and $2,800 for a family qualify for use with HSAs in 2020, with no change in these limits for 2021. These types of plans are becoming more common with employers and are available privately as well. Premiums are generally less expensive than plans with lower deductibles. Out-of-pocket expenses for high deductible plans cannot exceed maximums of $6,900 for an individual and $13,800 for family coverage in 2020, increasing slightly to $7,000 and $14,000 for 2021.

How the HSA works 

HSA accounts can only be used in conjunction with a high-deductible health insurance plan. The HSA will be a separate medical savings account into which the employee or private policy holder can contribute money during the year. The money goes into the account on a pre-tax basis much like a traditional 401(k) or IRA. This is a great opportunity for those who earn too much to make pre-tax contributions to a traditional IRA. Those who have made the maximum contributions to their 401(k) have another pre-tax savings option available to them as well.

The HSA contribution limits for 2020 are $3,550 for individuals and $7,100 for families. These limits increase to $3,600 and $7,200 for 2021. Those who will be 55 or older at any point during the year are eligible to contribute an extra $1,000 in 2020, this remains unchanged in 2021. Some employers may also make contributions to employee’s accounts.

Money can be withdrawn tax-free from the HSA account to pay for a variety of qualified medical expenses. Withdrawals used to pay for non-qualified medical costs will be included in your gross income and included in your taxable income. Withdrawals for non-qualified expenses may also be subject to a penalty.

The real advantage is that money not used to cover eligible expenses can also be left in the account from year-to-year. This differs from a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) where all money must be used by the end of the year in conjunction with qualified medical expenses. Any unused dollars are lost to you.

The money in the HSA is portable when you leave an employer. Many banks and investment custodians offer HSA accounts, some with investment options that are similar to an IRA account. The investments chosen should reflect your risk tolerance and time horizon for the money. Just like an IRA account you should shop around for the HSA account that best meets your needs including investment options and fees.

Qualified medical expenses 

Examples of qualified medical expenses include:

• Health insurance coinsurance and deductibles
• Most medical and dental expenses
• Vision care
• Prescription drugs and insulin
• Medicare premiums
• A portion of the premiums for a tax-qualified long-term care policy

These are just some examples of qualified medical and related expenses for which HSA funds can be used on a tax-free basis.

Health Savings Accounts and retirement 

For those who can afford to cover some or all of their out-of-pocket medical costs from other sources while they are working, HSA contributions can serve as an excellent supplement to their other retirement savings in accounts like IRAs and 401(k)s.

Money in the HSA can be saved until retirement to cover qualified medical costs. This can make your retirement savings go farther. Remember the money comes out tax-free for qualified medical expenses.

Beyond medical expenses, once you reach age 65 the money can be withdrawn penalty-free for purposes other than paying for qualified medical expenses, though the withdrawals will be taxed at ordinary income rates like a traditional IRA account.

HSAs are not subject to required minimum distributions, allowing the HSA to continue to grow tax-free. If a spouse is named as the beneficiary of the account, he or she can inherit the money tax-free. Non-spousal beneficiaries will be taxed on the account’s fair market value.

The Bottom Line

With the cost of healthcare in retirement continuing to increase, the health savings account is increasingly being viewed as an additional retirement account. If you have access to one, consider funding an HSA account to help supplement your other retirement savings efforts.

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