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Should I increase contributions to HSA or 401(k)?

Posted on 10/7/15 at 8:38 pm
Posted by Amory Blaine
New Orleans
Member since Aug 2015
17 posts
Posted on 10/7/15 at 8:38 pm
Currently maxing out ROTH IRA and contributing 8% of salary to 401(k)... company matches 6%. I contribute $1,700 to my HSA and I'm trying to decide if I increase the HSA to the max contribution of $3,350 or increase my 401(k) contribution by $1,650?

Also, if I ever switch from a HDHP to a PPO can I continue to use the money in the HSA? (I know I won't be able to continue to contribute.)

Thanks in advance.
Posted by LSUGUMBO
Shreveport, LA
Member since Sep 2005
9496 posts
Posted on 10/7/15 at 9:16 pm to
You will be allowed to exhaust the funds in the HSA, but the same rules apply (qualified medical expenses, etc). Some HSA's will allow you to invest once the balance gets high enough, but it may be a limited choice of funds, so you may be better off just putting it in your 401k.
Posted by The Easter Bunny
Santa Barbara
Member since Jan 2005
45654 posts
Posted on 10/7/15 at 10:46 pm to
quote:

ome HSA's will allow you to invest once the balance gets high enough, but it may be a limited choice of funds, so you may be better off just putting it in your 401k.


That's how my company is, and the fund options are awful. I'd go more into 401(k).
Posted by Jag_Warrior
Virginia
Member since May 2015
4292 posts
Posted on 10/7/15 at 11:50 pm to
Some HSA plans do offer investment options, once you reach a certain minimum balance. Mine does, but they're limited and some have higher than average fees. Also, with Optum Bank (our HSA provider), trying to find a way to speak to a living, breathing human is all but impossible. I would sock away enough in the HSA to cover the deductible or max out of pocket for a couple of years and then devote additional contributions to the 401k. If you have, or expect to have, heavy medical expenses in the short term, obviously YMMV.
Posted by geauxbears08
Houston, TX
Member since Jun 2011
233 posts
Posted on 10/8/15 at 5:26 am to
HSA contributions are also FICA exempt - which is a 7.65% tax. Unless you already hit the SS limit of $118k, in which case it would only avoid Medicare at 1.45%. But that could be a 7.65% return on that money immediately over a 401k deposit since 401k money is not FICA exempt. So it heavily depends on your salary range.
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