Everything you need to know about health savings accounts

A health savings account (HSA) is a flexible financial tool that serves you throughout every stage of your life. This account allows you to take control over your finances in a way individually tailored to your financial situation. The HSA market is rapidly evolving and growing with each passing year and UMB Healthcare Services currently manages 1.4 million HSAs. According to the 2022 Midyear Devenir HSA Research Report, Devenir projects that the HSA market will reach 39 million accounts by the end of 2024, holding $142 billion in assets. Now is the time for you to learn about the benefits of being an HSA accountholder and how it can improve your financial well-being. 

Understand the basics of HSAs 
There are many benefits of having an HSA and in order to get the most out of your account it is important to familiarize yourself with each. An HSA is an individually owned, tax-advantaged account that may be used to pay for qualified medical expenses or to save for retirement and long-term care expenses. In 2023, the maximum contribution amount for HSAs is $3,850 for individuals and $7,750 for family coverage. If you are 55 or older, you can also contribute an extra $1,000 at the end of the year.

Read more: 3 myths preventing employers from embracing HSA-qualified plans

Determine if you are eligible for an HSA 
You are ready to open and contribute to an HSA if you: 

• Are enrolled in a high-deductible health plan (HDHP)
• Are not enrolled in any part of Medicare 
• Are not claimed as a dependent on another's taxes 
• Do not have any other non-permissible health coverage, such as a medical plan other than a HDHP 

It is important to note that while there may restrictions for making HSA contributions,  there are no restrictions on when you can spend your HSA funds. This allows you to make the decision of when and where you want to put your HSA funds without the fear of them expiring at the end of the benefit year. 
Understand the unique benefits of an HSA
An HSA gives you the opportunity to save money on a tax-free basis and serves as a useful investment vehicle to add to your 401(k) and/or individual retirement account (IRA) when looking ahead to your future savings. The triple tax advantage offered by HSAs means: 

• Funds going into the HSA are tax-free 
• Funds earn tax-free interest 
• Funds and investment earnings withdrawn from the account for eligible medical expenses are tax-free

In addition, an HSA is owned by you and offers benefits that differ greatly from a FSA, which is sponsored by your employer. Unlike FSAs, the money in your HSA is yours, no matter if you change jobs or choose to retire. An HSA gives you the ability to roll over your entire unspent amount year after year and also calculates, compounds and credits interest monthly.
Read more: 7 tips to help employers and employees optimize HSAs

Set up your HSA 
During annual enrollment, many employers will offer HSAs, but if yours does not you can still open one with an HSA provider. If you have an insurance provider, check with them to see if they partner with a certain financial institution. Alternatively, you can check with your personal bank that you use for your regular checking and savings account needs, as many offer HSAs. Your bank will be able to provide you with assistance on setting up an HSA for your individual or family coverage. 

Discover how to get the most out of your HSA 
Whether you're new or not new to the world of HSAs, there are a couple of approaches you can take to get the most out of your HSA benefits. In order to see the true impact of an HSA, it is important to learn how to maximize your HSA each year. For example, in your first year of having an HSA your strategy might look like spending or minimally saving, while in your sixth or tenth year with your HSA you could change your focus to increasing your contributions to save more and invest. As you progress through life stages the way you use your HSA will change along with you, so do not be afraid to switch up your HSA strategies for your financial needs. 

Read more: Open enrollment cheat sheet: The pros and cons of FSA, HSA, and HRA pre-tax benefits

Another way to fully utilize your HSA is to be intentional about investing assets within your HSA. Many are leaving money on the table, according to the Employee Benefit Research Institute's analysis, only 12% of accountholders invested their HSAs in assets other than cash in the past year. One of the greatest advantages of an HSA is that it offers you the ability to make investments once you reach a certain amount of money. For example, UMB offers a powerful tool, UMB HSA Saver, that makes investing simple, fast and smart with expert insight and experience.  

Whether you are new to HSAs or have had an account for several years, it is a great time to better understand all your HSA offers and plan ahead for financial well-being. Financial tools, like HSAs, offer flexibility and give you the power to better prepare for  your financial future. Be sure to speak to a trusted financial advisor to see how an HSA could help you reach your financial goals.