One of the benefits of your Health Savings Account (HSA) is that it earns interest, tax-free. Effective March 1, 2017, your HSA will have tiered interest rates. This means your rate depends on your HSA balance. The more money you save in your HSA, the higher your interest rate may be. Below are the new rates.
Is it better to spend or save? According to Fidelity’s Retiree Health Care Cost Estimate, a 65-year-old couple retiring in 2016 will need an estimated $260,0001 to cover health care costs in retirement. An HSA is a great way to save for future expenses, and even into retirement. Remember, unused funds roll over from year to year. And your HSA stays with you, even if you switch employers, change health plans or retire. On the other hand, you may have expenses that you need to take care of now. And that’s OK. HSAs have a tax advantage that other savings plans don’t. Money you put in your HSA isn’t taxed. And money taken out isn’t taxed if you use it for eligible health care expenses. Whether you’re a spender or a saver, be sure to check out your HSA investment options. This can be a good way for you to grow your HSA balance. And the best part is, you can do it all through the PayFlex member website.
Questions? If you have any questions, visit the PayFlex member website. There you’ll find our phone number and customer service hours.
Sincerely, PayFlex |
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| 1 Estimate based on a hypothetical couple retiring in 2016, 65-years-old, with average life expectancies of 85 for a male and 87 for a female. Estimates are calculated for “average” retirees, but may be more or less depending on actual health status, area of residence, and longevity. Estimate is net of taxes. The Fidelity Retiree Health Care Costs Estimate assumes individuals do not have employer-provided retiree health care coverage, but do qualify for the federal government’s insurance program, Original Medicare. The calculation takes into account cost-sharing provisions (such as deductibles and coinsurance) associated with Medicare Part A and Part B (inpatient and outpatient medical insurance). It also considers Medicare Part D (prescription drug coverage) premiums and out-of-pocket costs, as well as certain services excluded by Original Medicare. The estimate does not include other health-related expenses, such as over-the-counter medications, most dental services and long-term care. Life expectancies based on research and analysis by Fidelity Investments Benefits Consulting group and data from the Society of Actuaries, 2014. There may be fees associated with a Health Savings Account (“HSA”). These are the same types of fees you may pay for checking account transactions. Please see the HSA fee schedule in your HSA enrollment materials for more information.This material is for informational purposes only and is not an offer of coverage. It contains only a partial, general description of plan benefits or programs and does not constitute a contract. It does not contain legal or tax advice. You should contact your legal counsel if you have any questions or if you need additional information. In case of a conflict between your plan documents and the information in this material, the plan documents will govern. Eligible expenses may vary from employer to employer. Please refer to your employer’s Summary Plan Description (“SPD”) for more information about your covered benefits. Information is believed to be accurate as of the production date; however, it is subject to change. PayFlex cannot and shall not provide any payment or service in violation of any United States (US) economic or trade sanctions. For more information about PayFlex, go to payflex.com.Investment services are independently offered through a third party financial institution. By transferring funds into an HSA investment account you can potentially benefit from capital appreciation in the value of mutual fund holdings. However, you will also be exposed to a number of risks, including the loss of principal, and you should always read the prospectuses for the mutual funds you intend on purchasing to familiarize yourself with these risks. The HSA investment account is an optional, self-directed service. We do not provide investment advice for HSA investment account participants. You are solely responsible for any investment account decisions you make. Mutual funds and brokerage investments are not FDIC-insured and are subject to investment risk, including fluctuations in value and the possible loss of the principal amount invested. The prospectus describes the funds’ investment objectives and strategies, their fees and expenses, and the risks inherent to investing in each fund. Investors should always read the prospectus carefully before making any investment decision. System response and account access times may vary due to a variety of factors, including trading volumes, market conditions, system performance, and other factors. |
