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Any adult who is covered
by a high-deductible health plan (and has no other first-dollar
coverage) may establish an HSA. Tax-advantaged contributions can
be made in three ways:
- the individual or family can make tax deductible contributions
to the HSA even if they do not itemize deductions;
- the individual's employer can make contributions that are not
taxed to either the employer or the employee; and,
- employers sponsoring cafeteria plans can allow employees to
contribute untaxed salary through salary reduction.
To encourage saving for health
expenses after retirement, individuals age 55 and older are allowed
to make additional catch-up contributions to their HSAs. Once an
individual enrolls in Medicare they are no longer eligible to contribute
to their HSA.
Amounts contributed to an
HSA belong to the account holder and are completely portable. Funds
in the account can grow tax-free through investment earnings, just
like an IRA.
Funds distributed from the
HSA are not taxed if they are used to pay qualified medical expenses.
Unlike amounts in Flexible Spending Arrangements that are forfeited
if not used by the end of the year, unused funds remain available
for use in later years
HSA's --
View our Health Savings Account PowerPoint Presentation
- HSA Facts
Excellent reference information: United
States Treasury
Please use the "www.treas.gov"
site and pay particular attention to the articles and reference
sources offered there.
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