Think of it this way. What is the difference between putting money in a savings accout vs an HSA.
First it is pretax money so you get some savings there.
Second no tax on growth.
I am sure you can guess which is a bigger financial gain overall.
But now think about this. You have a $1000 medical bill. Do you pay it from the hsa or you savings account.
Well both are getting interest, but the HSA is probably getting a higher rate if invested in the stock market. And the HSA has tax free interest unlike the bank account. So the correct financial answer is to pay it from your savings account, and leave the money in the HSA for retirement. Thus it’s really a retirement plan.
The key thing is that only people who have the extra money can afford to use it. So poorer people don’t get any benefit from it at all.
Think of it this way. What is the difference between putting money in a savings accout vs an HSA.
First it is pretax money so you get some savings there. Second no tax on growth.
I am sure you can guess which is a bigger financial gain overall.
But now think about this. You have a $1000 medical bill. Do you pay it from the hsa or you savings account. Well both are getting interest, but the HSA is probably getting a higher rate if invested in the stock market. And the HSA has tax free interest unlike the bank account. So the correct financial answer is to pay it from your savings account, and leave the money in the HSA for retirement. Thus it’s really a retirement plan. The key thing is that only people who have the extra money can afford to use it. So poorer people don’t get any benefit from it at all.