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Contributions and Distributions

Health Savings Accounts (HSAs)¹

Contributions

  • Contributions may be funded by an employer, employee, and any other individual on behalf of a qualified individual up to the annual maximum amount.
  • 2009 contribution maximums are $3,000 for single coverage and $5,950 for family coverage.
  • 2010 contribution maximums are $3,050 for single coverage and $6,150 for family coverage.
  • In addition to the standard HSA annual contribution limits above, accountholders age 55 and older can make additional catch-up contributions. The maximum annual catch-up contribution is $1,000 for tax years 2009 and later. For married couples to each be eligible for the catch-up contribution, both individuals must have their own HSA.
  • All contributions, including catch-up contributions, must be made by April 15 of the following tax year (e.g., all 2009 contributions must be made by April 15, 2010).
  • Contributions must stop once an individual is enrolled in any type of Medicare program.
  • The self-employed, partners, and S-Corporation shareholders are generally not considered employees and cannot receive an employer contribution — they can make deductible contributions to the HSA on their own.
  • An HSA may be offered only with an HSA-qualified HDHP.

Distributions

  • Distributions are tax-free if taken for qualified medical expenses.
  • Distributions used for nonqualified medical expenses are includable in taxable income and may be subject to a 10 percent penalty tax (10 percent penalty tax does not apply when distribution is taken after the account holder is age 65, dies or becomes disabled).
  • Tax-free distributions can be taken for the qualified medical expenses of:
    • a person covered by the HDHP;
    • the spouse of the individual (even if not covered by the HDHP);
    • any dependent of the individual (even if not covered by the HDHP).
  • Expenses must be incurred after the HSA has been set up.
  • Distributions do not have to occur at the same time as the medical expense.
  • Distributions may be taken even if the individual is no longer eligible to contribute to an HSA.
  • HSA funds may accumulate for use after retirement.
  • The account holder is responsible for determining the eligibility of the expense and maintaining records.

See IRS Pub 502 to view a list of qualified medical expenses.

* The Bancorp Bank of Wilmington, DE, is a federally qualified bank offering HSA trustee services. It is not affiliated with Independence Blue Cross.

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Maximum contribution amounts are updated each year based on a cost-of-living adjustment.