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re: Talk me out of choosing a high deductible plan + HSA
Posted on 10/11/17 at 4:12 pm to LSUEEAlum
Posted on 10/11/17 at 4:12 pm to LSUEEAlum
quote:
And after 65 you can use the money for anything you want, you just pay taxes on it.
You can actually start taking the money out of an HSA at any time you want, as long as you have had medical bills since the inception of the plan. And this counts for everything - contacts, glasses, ibuprofen - whatever.
Here is what you need to do (and what I do):
I maximize my HSA every year (this should be the first account you maximize after you've maxed employer match) due to 3 way tax savings - tax free in, tax free growth, and tax free out.
Whenever I have medical expenses - I pay out of pocket. Although I can reimburse myself through my HSA to cover these, I pay after-tax dollars to cover that. I scan in the bill and throw it on google drive.
From here on out - I can withdraw any amount of money up until the total accumulated cost of all my medical expenses since the inception of the plan, at any time, tax free. I have all my bills to support all the withdrawals. If I am ever in dire need of cash and my nest egg can't cover it, this is where I would go to instead of having to touch my Roth and pay penalties on that.
Young people may not have too many medical expenses right now but as you grow older, these tend to become larger.
Finally - make sure you have at least 1x your deductible in your HSA at any time. God forbid, if something were to happen - you can rest easy as you are covered.
Once you have $1,500 in your HSA you can start investing those funds just like any other brokerage account. HSA Bank offers TD Ameritrade services which offers Vanguard Index funds. This is why I would recommend them.
In Summary - If you are a person that does not visit the doctor a lot - there is no other retirement vehicle as good as an HSA. If, however, you do visit the doctor often, you are better off using a low deductible plan.
ETA: $3,550 a year may not seem a lot but 35 payments of $3,550 at 6% growth ends up being $455K. For reference, the average retirement savings in the US is $201K.
This post was edited on 10/11/17 at 4:27 pm
Posted on 10/11/17 at 4:59 pm to AmeriKop45
That's good info there. So even with 2 young kids (healthy) the HDHP is typically worth it? I haven't done enough research but have to pick a plan soon.
I have gone to the doctor prob 3-5 times in my adult life I don't see that changing unless something happens.
That is a scary figure
I have gone to the doctor prob 3-5 times in my adult life I don't see that changing unless something happens.
quote:
For reference, the average retirement savings in the US is $201K.
That is a scary figure
Posted on 10/11/17 at 6:01 pm to AmeriKop45
quote:
35 payments of $3,550 at 6% growth ends up being $455K.
Where are you getting that type return in an HSA?
Posted on 10/11/17 at 6:59 pm to AmeriKop45
quote:
Whenever I have medical expenses - I pay out of pocket. Although I can reimburse myself through my HSA to cover these, I pay after-tax dollars to cover that. I scan in the bill and throw it on google drive.
From here on out - I can withdraw any amount of money up until the total accumulated cost of all my medical expenses since the inception of the plan, at any time, tax free. I have all my bills to support all the withdrawals. If I am ever in dire need of cash and my nest egg can't cover it, this is where I would go to instead of having to touch my Roth and pay penalties on that.
As much as i read personal finance blogs and bogleheads, ive never heard of this strategy. Thanks for the post.
Posted on 10/11/17 at 7:08 pm to AmeriKop45
quote:
Whenever I have medical expenses - I pay out of pocket. Although I can reimburse myself through my HSA to cover these, I pay after-tax dollars to cover that. I scan in the bill and throw it on google drive.
Sharp. Very sharp and efficient way to get at the money when needed... without penalty or taxes.
Posted on 10/12/17 at 8:00 am to AmeriKop45
So does the weekly premium go towards the HSA or is it, you pay the premium and anything additional goes into the HSA?
Posted on 10/12/17 at 12:11 pm to AmeriKop45
quote:
From here on out - I can withdraw any amount of money up until the total accumulated cost of all my medical expenses since the inception of the plan, at any time, tax free. I have all my bills to support all the withdrawals. If I am ever in dire need of cash and my nest egg can't cover it, this is where I would go to instead of having to touch my Roth and pay penalties on that.
Young people may not have too many medical expenses right now but as you grow older, these tend to become larger.
What you and I may consider a "feature" others consider a "bug". The lack of a time limit for reimbursements was never supposed to happen - chalk it up to crappy lawmaking. There is faint talk that tax reform could institute a time limit - maybe 12 months after expense is incurred.
No reason to change what you are currently doing but perhaps something to pay attention to in case that ever becomes new law.
Posted on 10/13/17 at 5:07 pm to AmeriKop45
My wife and 2 young daughters are on my wife's plan. Adding me to hers would cost us just over $4100 more in premiums, but wouldnt increase her deductible or max out-of-pocket. Since I'm fairly healthy and don't go to the doctor much, this isn't worth it to me.
I've been on my work's PPO, but am now considering their high deductible plan and setting up a HSA outside of work (they don't offer it).
My question: can my HSA be used for my wife and kids' out-of-pocket medical expenses or is it only good for mine?
Feel like the answer is obvious but figured someone more knowledgeable than me can confirm.
I've been on my work's PPO, but am now considering their high deductible plan and setting up a HSA outside of work (they don't offer it).
My question: can my HSA be used for my wife and kids' out-of-pocket medical expenses or is it only good for mine?
Feel like the answer is obvious but figured someone more knowledgeable than me can confirm.
Posted on 10/16/17 at 8:07 pm to AmeriKop45
quote:
Whenever I have medical expenses - I pay out of pocket. Although I can reimburse myself through my HSA to cover these, I pay after-tax dollars to cover that.
From here on out - I can withdraw any amount of money up until the total accumulated cost of all my medical expenses since the inception of the plan, at any time, tax free.
I do this also. But ...
quote:
instead of having to touch my Roth and pay penalties on that
So long as you don't exceed the amount of your Roth contributions, there are no penalties at all. Penalties only apply to earnings above that amount.
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