Qualifying for a Health Savings Account
You don't have to have earned income -- just a high-deductible health insurance policy -- to sign up for one of these tax-advantaged accounts.
I am 60 and retired with sources of income from investments and pensions, but no earned income. Would I qualify for a health savings account if I took out a high-deductible policy?
You sure can, and it's a good idea. Unlike with IRAs, you don't need to have earned income to qualify for a health savings account. Instead, you just need to open a high-deductible health insurance policy. For 2008, the deductible must be at least $1,100 for individual coverage or $2,200 for family coverage.
Then you can make tax-deductible contributions to a health savings account. In 2008, most people can contribute up to $2,900 to an HSA if you have individual coverage, or up to $5,800 for family coverage. People who are age 55 and older also can make a $900 catch-up contribution in 2008. You can't contribute to an HSA after you sign up for Medicare at age 65.
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
You don't need income from a job to take advantage of the tax deduction. "They can deduct their contributions from any type of taxable income, such as earnings from investments, even if it is not earned income," says Roy Ramthun, president of HSA Consulting Services in Washington, D.C.
The money accumulates tax-deferred in the account, and you can use it tax free for medical expenses in any year. After age 65, you can use the HSA money for anything without a penalty. But it's still best to reserve the account for health care costs, which can spare you the tax bill.
If you're on Medicare, the HSA should still come in handy for plenty of out-of-pocket expenses, such as co-payments and deductibles as well as premiums for Medicare, Medicare Advantage or Part D (but not medigap premiums). You also can use the money for part of the premiums for qualified long-term care insurance policies.
For more about HSAs, see Health Savings Account Answers.
Get Kiplinger Today newsletter — free
Profit and prosper with the best of Kiplinger's advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and much more. Delivered daily. Enter your email in the box and click Sign Me Up.
As the "Ask Kim" columnist for Kiplinger's Personal Finance, Lankford receives hundreds of personal finance questions from readers every month. She is the author of Rescue Your Financial Life (McGraw-Hill, 2003), The Insurance Maze: How You Can Save Money on Insurance -- and Still Get the Coverage You Need (Kaplan, 2006), Kiplinger's Ask Kim for Money Smart Solutions (Kaplan, 2007) and The Kiplinger/BBB Personal Finance Guide for Military Families. She is frequently featured as a financial expert on television and radio, including NBC's Today Show, CNN, CNBC and National Public Radio.
-
Farewell Paper I-Bonds: Savings Bonds Are Going Online-Only
The last remaining way to buy a paper savings bond in the U.S. (with your income tax refund) won't be available from January 2025. Tax filers will still be able to buy I-bonds online, however.
By Lisa Gerstner Published
-
Is Medicare a Good Reason to Wait Until 65 to Retire?
The average retirement age is 62, but many people wait until Medicare starts at 65. Should health care be the key driver of your retirement date?
By Evan T. Beach, CFP®, AWMA® Published
-
Credit Report Error? They All Matter
credit & debt Don't dismiss a minor error. It could be the sign of something more serious.
By Kimberly Lankford Published
-
Insurance for a Learning Driver
insurance Adding a teen driver to your plan will raise premiums, but there are things you can do to help reduce them.
By Kimberly Lankford Published
-
529 Plans Aren’t Just for Kids
529 Plans You don’t have to be college-age to use the money tax-free, but there are stipulations.
By Kimberly Lankford Published
-
When to Transfer Ownership of a Custodial Account
savings Before your child turns 18, you should check with your broker about the account's age of majority and termination.
By Kimberly Lankford Published
-
Borrowers Get More Time to Repay 401(k) Loans
retirement If you leave your job while you have an outstanding 401(k) loan, Uncle Sam now gives you extra time to repay it -- thanks to the new tax law.
By Kimberly Lankford Published
-
When It Pays to Buy Travel Insurance
Travel Investing in travel insurance can help recover some costs when your vacation gets ruined by a natural disaster, medical emergency or other catastrophe.
By Kimberly Lankford Published
-
What Travel Insurance Covers When Planes Are Grounded
Travel Your travel insurance might help with some costs if your trip was delayed because of the recent grounding of Boeing 737 Max planes.
By Kimberly Lankford Published
-
Ways to Spend Your Flexible Spending Account Money by March 15 Deadline
spending Many workers will be hitting the drugstore in the next few days to use up leftover flexible spending account money from 2018 so they don’t lose it.
By Kimberly Lankford Published