Almost everyone gets this one backwards.

The common belief is that HSA contributions stop at 65. Birthday arrives, door closes, account goes into spend down mode.

That is not the rule. Not even close.

Age 65 has nothing to do with HSA contributions. Medicare does.

If you are 67, still working, still covered by a qualifying high deductible health plan, and you have not enrolled in any part of Medicare, you can contribute to your HSA. Full amount. Plus the catch up. With the deduction.

And if you are 63, retired, and already on Medicare because of a disability, you cannot contribute a dollar.

Age is a coincidence. Coverage is the rule.

That distinction is worth real money, because people who understand it keep funding a tax advantaged account for years longer than their neighbors do. Let's go through exactly when you can, when you cannot, and how to squeeze the last legitimate dollar out of the window before it closes.

Subscribe to keep reading

This content is free, but you must be subscribed to Penny Brief to continue reading.

Already a subscriber?Sign in.Not now