A Health Savings Account (HSA) is one of the most powerful yet underutilized tools in personal financial planning. Many people overlook the HSA, possibly confusing it with a Flexible Spending Account (FSA). However, an HSA stands out because it:
· reduces your income tax bill when saved,
· grows tax-deferred while invested,
· withdraws tax-free when used for qualified medical expenses, making it a unique triple tax-advantaged account.
Let’s explore how an HSA can support long-term medical savings—particularly for retirement.
The Short-Term Tax Advantages of Health Savings Accounts
Who doesn’t appreciate a current year tax break? To take advantage of an HSA, you need to elect a so-called high deductible healthcare plan. That should also come with a lower monthly premium than alternative health plan options. Contributions to an HSA reduce your taxable income in much the same way as qualified retirement plans, effectively lowering your tax bill. For instance, let’s say your household income is $100,000. By contributing the 2024 family maximum of $8,300 (if over 55, add a $1,000 catch-up contribution), you can reduce your taxable income to $91,700, or $90,700 if over 55. In 2025, limits increase to $4,300 for self-only coverage and $8,550 for family coverage.
Single individuals can also benefit. In 2024, they can contribute up to $4,150, or $5,150 if over 55. This reduction means paying less in taxes now while allowing your contributions to grow tax-free for future medical expenses.
Unlike IRAs, there are no income phaseouts for the HSA.
Flexible savings account
Alternatively, one could choose a non-high deductible health care plan, and add a healthcare, flexible saving account (FSA) for up to $3,200. In 2025, that amount increases to $3300. This amount is the same no matter if you file Single or Family. That means that the HAS offers an additional $5,000 worth of savings and related tax reductions. Unfortunately, the FSA must be used in the calendar year in which it is saved. The HAS can rollover to future years, where it begins to show its true power.
The “Savings” in Health Savings Account
An HSA might be labeled a “savings” account, but it can function more like a long-term investment vehicle. Most savings accounts are intended for short-term access, and any interest earned is typically taxed as income. An HSA, however, allows you to invest contributions, and any gains grow tax-free as long as you use the funds for qualified medical expenses.
This tax-free growth is especially valuable if you’re a high-income taxpayer who might otherwise be subject to income or capital gains tax brackets. With an HSA, you avoid those taxes entirely—both while the money grows and when it’s withdrawn for eligible expenses.
Long-Term Growth and Zero Tax on Qualified Withdrawals
Imagine the long-term potential: If you’re 45 today and contribute the 2024 family maximum of $8,300 each year for the next 20 years, and if your investments achieve a 6% annual return, by age 65, you could accumulate over $320,000 in your HSA. This substantial growth comes with a major perk—any qualified withdrawals for medical expenses in retirement are entirely tax-free, unlike withdrawals from an IRA, 401(K), 403(B) and other tax qualified retirement accounts that are fully taxable.
Should you need these funds earlier for medical expenses: co-pays, prescriptions, you can use the funds tax-free.
Building Your Health Savings Strategy
Whether paying for short-term or long-term medical expenses, an HSA is a great tool to get more for your money (tax free). Long-term, think of it as your medical retirement fund—a buffer against out-of-pocket medical expenses in the years when you may need them most.
*Note: Tax laws are subject to change. This hypothetical example illustrates potential outcomes and does not account for fees, which may impact results.*