Where To Open An HSA (Health Savings Account)?
This question is about health savings accounts.
It can be confusing to know where to open an HSA or health savings account. For most people, you are offered an HSA through your employer, and your employer simply opens the account for you as part of your benefits (just like they do wth a 401k).
However, if you're self-employed, OR if you're leaving your employer and have an old HSA, you need to open your own HSA account at an HSA provider. You can then fund your HSA, or rollover your HSA from your old employer.
How To Setup An HSA
To setup an HSA, you simply need to open an account at an HSA provider. We have a list of the best HSA providers here.
The top options are:
Opening an HSA account is fairly straightforward - you sign up, enter your name and social security number, address, and you have an account.
You can then fund your HSA account. If you're rolling over an old HSA from a past employer, you can do this online or contact customer service at your new provider. They can help walk you through - but you really just need your old account information. It will take about 2-4 weeks to get everything moved into your new account.
If you are funding your own HSA because you're self employed AND have a qualifying health insurance plan, you can contribute based on the HSA contribution limits. Here's the limits this year:
HSA Benefits
HSAs come with a lot of benefits. They are known for being "triple tax-free" when used correctly. What this means is:
- You deposit money into your HSA before taxes
- The money inside your account grows tax-free
- If you withdrawal your HSA money for qualifying expenses, it's tax-free as well
Plus, unlike other accounts, your HSA is an investment account. This means that you can invest your HSA funds to see much higher growth than you would with a savings account.
This makes an HSA one of the best account-types you can have.
People Also Ask
Can I Open An HSA At My Bank?
No, most banks do not offer a health savings account. You need to open an HSA at an HSA provider.
What Is The Best HSA Account?
The best HSA account is the one that charges no monthly fees, and allows a lot of options for investing. Fidelity and Lively are consistently ranked as a best HSA account.
Can You Open An HSA Online?
Yes, you can open an HSA account online at most providers.
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Editor: Colin Graves
Robert Farrington is the founder of The College Investor and is widely recognized as one of the nation’s leading voices on student loan debt and saving for college. He holds an MBA from UC San Diego Rady School of Management and has spent over 15 years researching, writing, and advising on student loans, 529 plans, financial aid programs, and saving and investing for young professionals.
Robert has been featured in the The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, NBC News, and Forbes, where he has been a regular personal finance contributor for over a decade. His work combines both professional expertise and personal experience – he successfully navigated his own student loan repayment journey and has helped thousands of readers do the same.
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