Blog
HSAs Fit Neatly in Efforts to Increase Affordability of Care
“Each of the proposals outlined above would help hard-working Americans pay for their health-related care. Each would benefit hard-working lower-income Americans and other marginalized people nearly exclusively . . . All would reduce the financial barriers to care – particularly high-value care. All would empower people by giving them more control over their treatment decisions.”.. Read more
Dispelling Some Common Myths about HSAs
“Surveys showing low balances are merely a snapshot. When you see a picture of a friend on social media posed on the dock before embarking on a cruise and then see her picture posted on the same dock when she returned, you don’t assume that she never left port, do you?” William G. (Bill) Stuart.. Read more
When Two or More Accounts within a Family Makes Sense
“By establishing the account now, the child can reimburse tax-free any eligible expenses that she incurs for the rest of her life if she keeps a positive balance in the account. Let that sink in. . . Parents who realize this opportunity understand the value of setting up an account for their child. It could.. Read more
It’s Not Too Late (Yet) to Save on 2020 Taxes with an HSA
“[T]here’s a huge misconception surrounding these children and Health Savings Accounts. Parents can’t reimburse their non-dependent adult children’s qualified expenses tax-free from a parent’s account, even if the child is enrolled in the parent’s coverage. Recall, though, that eligibility to fund an account is determined person-by-person. Children who meet the requirements . . . can.. Read more
HSAs Are a Valuable Resource in Uncertain Financial Times
“[I]t’s the only account that you can establish and fund outside of work. . . You don’t even need to have earned income. You can fund your account with unemployment benefits, stimulus checks, savings, gambling winnings, proceeds from the sale of an asset, or borrowing.” William G. (Bill) Stuart Director of Strategy and Compliance April.. Read more
Accelerating Current HSA Trends Will Benefit Owners
“These figures – the additional $30 billion of deposits more than withdrawals and the average of more than $300 per account annually – represent medical equity. That term refers to tax-advantaged balances that owners can spend tax-free for eligible services and items in the future. This is a powerful asset that can fuel a more.. Read more
Don’t Let New FSA Flexibility Disqualify New HSA Owners
“But these temporary rules do not solve the grace-period problem. They’re prospective election changes only. . . The plan year is over, so a participant can’t make a prospective change. The only viable solution is to end the grace period by November 30.” William G. (Bill) Stuart Director of Strategy and Compliance March 18, 2021.. Read more
Don’t Forget to Complete Form 8889 if You Have HSA Activity
“You’re required to complete and submit Form 8889 if you contribute to or distribute funds from your account, if you weren’t eligible to fund your account all 12 months of the calendar year 2020 (remember, Health Savings Account activity is tracked on the calendar year, regardless of your medical-plan renewal date), or if you inherited.. Read more
Don’t Sacrifice HSA Tax Benefits in Retirement
“And what happens if you suffer the misfortune of living longer than the average person after turning age 65 . . . ? Why not preserve those Health Savings Account balances for qualified expenses and make withdrawals for non-qualified expenses from the account only after you exhaust your traditional IRA balances? Think of it as.. Read more
Mind the Gap When You Can’t Fund a Health Savings Account
“That’s right – she can use future contributions to reimburse prior eligible expenses that she incurred as far back as when she established her Health Savings Account.” William G. (Bill) Stuart Director of Strategy and Compliance February 4, 2021 Not everyone who opens a Health Savings Account is continuously eligible to fund the account until.. Read more
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