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An HSA is a health savings account that is offered as part of a high-deductible health insurance plan and helps pay for out-of-pocket medical expenses. In 2022, the minimum deductible for a HDHP is $1,400 for an individual and $2,800 for a family. Those minimums rise to $1,500 and $3,000, respectively, in 2023. HSAs come with a triple tax benefit that make them attractive savings options. Contributions to HSAs are tax deductible, with individuals able to contribute $3,650 in 2022 and families able to put in $7,300. The limits rise to $3,850 and $7,750, respectively, in 2023. Those aged 55 and older can contribute an additional $1,000 as a catch-up contribution. The money can be withdrawn tax-free at any time to pay for qualified medical expenses such as deductibles, copayments and other expenses. The money rolls over from year to year, so you don’t have to worry about spending it within a certain time frame. The third tax benefit of HSAs is the ability to invest your savings and have it grow tax-free. For this reason, some people even treat their HSA as another retirement account, similar to an or . Once you reach age 65, HSA funds can be withdrawn and used for any reason, but you will be required to pay ordinary income tax on the withdrawal. Funds withdrawn for non-medical expenses prior to age 65 will also be subject to a 20 percent penalty. Best ways to invest an HSA
Considering that investing HSA funds is one of the best ways to take advantage of the account, it is surprising how few people actually do it. In 2020, just 9 percent of HSAs were invested, according to a report from the Employee Benefits Research Institute. Part of the reason that number is so low could be the account minimums that must be met before investing at some HSA providers. But once those thresholds (no more than $2,000) are met, you’ll want to take advantage of the investment options. Determining how you’d like to invest your HSA will depend on your unique circumstances. Understanding your and potential future medical needs will help determine how aggressively to invest your savings. Here are a few options. Stocks and funds
For people who don’t expect much in the way of medical expenses in the coming years, stocks are likely to be one of the best ways to invest and grow your HSA. Keep in mind that , so if you’re counting on your HSA to cover out-of-pocket medical costs over the next year or two, it’s best to keep a portion of your account in cash or money market funds to ensure the money is there when you need it. Here are a few and stock-based funds: : These funds allow investors to purchase a broadly diversified group of stocks that track indexes such as the S&P 500 or . Index funds come with rock-bottom fees, which means more of your returns will go to you instead of the fund’s manager. Index funds are available as both and . Dividend funds: If you’re looking to take a slightly more targeted approach, funds that hold can also be a good fit for HSA investing. Companies that pay dividends are typically profitable and established, which might make them safer than younger companies without a proven business model. Plus, you won’t be taxed on the dividends, which will be available to either be reinvested or held as cash in your account. Individual stocks: The riskiest approach to take with investing your HSA is to hold a small number of individual stocks. While they can provide outsized returns, the risk is magnified if you’re wrong because you won’t have a diversified portfolio to protect you. Make sure you understand the business model, competitive position and valuation of any company you invest in. Fixed income
If you have a lower risk tolerance or think you might need money for future medical expenses, it’s best to focus on investments with less risk. and other short-term bond funds will make the most sense for those in that scenario. It’s nice to be able to use your HSA as an additional retirement savings account, but that should only be the focus if you can cover medical expenses with other funds. You never want to be in a position where you can’t cover medical costs because of poor investment decisions in an HSA. Robo-advisor
If you aren’t interested in selecting investments on your own, some HSA providers offer the option of using a . These automated advisors select investments on your behalf after receiving your answers to questions about your risk tolerance, time horizon and a few other topics. Most robo-advisors do charge an annual fee, but it’s typically far below what a traditional financial advisor might cost. Fidelity’s robo advisor, , will manage your HSA and doesn’t charge fees for its Fidelity Flex mutual funds. No management fee is charged for accounts with less than $25,000 in value and the fee is just 0.35 percent for account values of $25,000 or more. It’s a solid option for those who don’t want to manage their HSA investments on their own. What happens to HSA funds after retirement
Once you reach age 65, money in your HSA can be withdrawn and used for any reason, but if it’s used for non-qualified expenses, you’ll be subject to ordinary income taxes on the withdrawal. Withdrawals for non-qualified expenses prior to age 65 come with a 20 percent penalty, so it’s best to avoid early withdrawals. You can continue contributing to an HSA as long as you’re covered by an HSA-compatible health plan and aren’t enrolled in Medicare. However, most people enroll in Medicare at age 65, so contributions to an HSA will likely end there, but the money in the account can be used similarly to a 401(k) or IRA. Bottom line
Taking advantage of the investment opportunity available through HSAs is necessary if you’re going to fully maximize the benefits of the account. Be sure to set aside enough money to cover any upcoming medical costs that you’ll need to pay out-of-pocket. For those with a long time horizon, stocks will likely be the best bet to grow your HSA’s value. If you’re more cautious or may have near-term medical needs, it’s best to stick with short-term fixed income investments. Robo-advisors can be a great choice for those who’d prefer to let someone else manage their investments. SHARE: Bankrate reporter Brian Baker covers investing and retirement. He has previous experience as an industry analyst at an investment firm. Baker is passionate about helping people make sense of complicated financial topics so that they can plan for their financial futures. Brian Beers is the managing editor for the Wealth team at Bankrate. He oversees editorial coverage of banking, investing, the economy and all things money. Related Articles