Despite offering unique tax advantages, lots of people remain unaware of health savings accounts (HSA)—and even many who are using them aren’t using them to anywhere near their full potential.

Jeremy Keil, CFP, CFA, a retirement-focused financial advisor and host of both the Retirement Revealed Podcast and Mr. Retirement YouTube channel, joins the 401(k) Specialist Pod(k)ast to discuss the most common mistakes he sees people with HSAs making, as well as how to help correct these mistakes with strategies that make the most of their exceptional capabilities.

Key Insights Include:

Common HSA Mistakes: Many employees mistakenly believe they can only use the health savings account provided by their employer, limiting their options. Another prevalent error is confusing HSA contribution limits with FSA limits, resulting in underfunding their HSAs. Additionally, many fail to invest their HSA funds for long-term growth, missing out on the substantial tax advantages and investment potential HSAs offer.

Maximizing HSA Benefits: To rectify these mistakes, employees should be aware they can transfer their health savings account funds to any provider offering better terms. Maximizing contributions up to the IRS limits ($4,150 for individuals and $8,300 for families in 2024) is crucial. Investing health savings account funds similarly to a traditional IRA can significantly enhance their retirement savings, capitalizing on the unmatched tax advantages of HSAs.

Strategic HSA Management: Advisors recommend finding the best health savings account provider, considering factors like interest rates and investment options. Real-world examples show substantial gains from switching to high-yield HSAs and avoiding unnecessary fees. Proper management, such as keeping receipts for future reimbursements, allows for strategic use of HSAs, ensuring funds grow tax-free and can be utilized efficiently in retirement.

SEE ALSO:

• Checking the Pulse of the HSA Market with Devenir’s Eric Remjeske

• HSA Contribution Limits Increased Slightly for 2025