Health Savings Account
Health Savings Accounts – or HSAs – are like a personal savings account designed specifically for health care expenses. Participants own and control the money in the account, and contributions may be made up to your maximum contribution limit.
When a qualified medical payment is due, you can pay for it with the funds in your HSA account using a HSA Debit Card or write a check from your account.
Contribution limits
2018 tax year
Contribution limit (single): $3,450
Contribution limit (family): $6,900
Additional catch-up contributions (55 or older, single and family): $1,000
HSA Benefits
- Account ownership - Funds are portable in the case of a change in employers.
- Security - Your high deductible health plan and HSA help protect you against high or unexpected medical bills.
- Flexibility in funding - Contributions may be made by the employer, the employee, or any other person or nonperson (charity, etc.) up to your maximum contribution limit.
- Tax-free savings - Unused funds can roll over into the next plan year or be saved for retirement.
- Tax deductible contributions - Contributions you make to your HSA may be tax deductible.*
- Tax-free earnings - Interest earned on the account will accrue tax-free within the HSA.*
- Tax-free withdrawals - Funds used for qualified medical expenses will not be taxed upon withdrawal.*
- Catch up contributions - If you are age 55 or older you can make additional catch up contributions.
*Subject to IRS requirements. Consult your tax advisor for more information.
Restrictions
HSA funds used for non-qualified medical expenses will be assessed a 20% tax penalty and will also be taxed as regular income.
Funds withdrawn after age 65 (or if you become disabled) are exempt from the 20% tax penalty - however, the funds will be subject to income tax if not used for qualified medical expenses.
Criteria
- Must be enrolled in a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP).
- Cannot be enrolled in Medicare.
- Cannot be claimed as a dependent on someone else’s tax return.
- Cannot be covered under your own or spouse’s employer sponsored health care plan that is not a qualified HDHP.
Fees
External transfer fee - $25
Closure of account within 6 months of opening - $25
Transaction adjustment - $25
Monthly paper statement fee - $3
See our Schedule of Fees for a complete list of possible fees.