HSA Contribution for 2023

Submitted by MIKE KRUCHTEN on Tue, 2024-02-06 20:12

Married couple have a family health plan under husband’s employer. Husband turned 65 on July 2023, wife won’t turn 65 until Jan 2026. My understanding of HSA contribution rules is wife can make full family plan contribution of $7,750, plus her full catch up contribution of $1,000. These contributions must be made to her HSA plan. Her husband can make a partial catch up of $500 for 2023 and made to his HSA.

Do I have this correct?



Submitted by William Tuttle on Tue, 2024-02-06 20:35

  • Note: The husband does not become HSA ineligible at age 65, unless he enrolls in Medicare either automatically by claiming Social Security benefits at age 65 or individually enrolling in Medicare. Age 65 in and of itself does not make someone HSA ineligible.
  • Under the rules for married people. If each spouse is covered by an HDHP and does not have “other” disqualifying coverage. They can allocate the entire family contribution amount in any manner they agree to.
  • While in this case the husband would be HSA ineligible. The spouse would be HSA eligible and able to contribute  up to the family limit and her catch-up contribution.
  • Being HSA ineligible, the husband cannot make any HSA contributions.
  • Note: While an HSA account can be used to pay for qualified medical expenses of the individual, spouse and dependents. It can only do so for dates of service on or after the establishment date of the HSA account.
  • In almost all states, this is the date of first contribution and not the opening date of the HSA account.

Submitted by David Mertz on Wed, 2024-02-07 03:02

Given that the husband’s Medicare coverage begins on July 1 (the first of the month that husband reaches age 65), husband is an eligible individual for the first 6 months of the year, so is eligible to make the $500 catch-up contribution to his HSA for 2023.  Up to half of the $7,750 regular family limit could be allocated to the husband.  If the entire family limit is allocated to the wife, the husband can contribute only the $500 catch-up to his HSA.

Submitted by William Tuttle on Wed, 2024-02-07 03:38

  • “Given that the husband’s Medicare coverage begins on July 1 (the first of the month that husband reaches age 65)” You are assuming facts not in evidence.
  • I’ll repeat again. Age 65 in and of itself does not make someone HSA ineligible.
  • While it is most likely true, you are only HSA ineligible at age 65 if you are enrolled in Medicare at age 65:
  • Either automatically by claiming or already receiving Social Security benefits at age 65.
  • Defer claiming Social Security up to age 70 to receive delayed retirement credits and not enrolling Medicare.
  • If the husband remained employed, stayed on his company’s HDHP and didn’t enroll in Medicare. He could continue to be HSA eligible and make HSA contributions.
  • The OP hasn’t returned and verified Social Security benefits and/or Medicare enrollment.

    • Submitted by David Mertz on Wed, 2024-02-07 05:27

    spiritrider, you stated that husband is inelgible to contribute to an HSA for 2023, but there is nothing at all in the question that suggests that.

    Submitted by William Tuttle on Wed, 2024-02-07 15:08

    • Like you, I was basing the husband being HSA ineligible effective 7/1/23, on him being enrolled in Medicare.
    • However, that is not true as I pointed out if the husband is not enrolled in Medicare.
    • We need the OP to return and indicate if the husband was enrolled in Medicare effective 7/1/23.

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