David S Klein, MD
- Nov 6, 2023
- 5 min read

HSA Advantages: Never use an Insurance company product. Use a Brokerage Account and save.

Advantages of using a brokerage account to hold an HSA — Use a Brokerage Company to Hold your HSA

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Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) have gained popularity in the United States as a tax-advantaged way for individuals and families to save and pay for healthcare expenses. These accounts come with several advantages and disadvantages, which are important to consider when evaluating their suitability for your financial situation and healthcare needs.

If you have even a modest amount of money that you can set aside for the future, consider using the HSA. While it may seem like a modest amount of money to set aside, incrementally it can be substantial by the time you reach retirement. It costs very little in administrative fees to use most brokerage firms. The advantage is that any unused contributions roll over to the next year, and the years that follow, growing with time. Insurance companies generally take any unused funds at the end of the year, and keep them.

Advantages of HSAs:

Tax Benefits: One of the primary advantages of HSAs is the tax benefits they offer. Contributions made to an HSA are tax-deductible, and any interest or investment gains within the account are tax-free.
Triple Tax Advantage: HSAs offer a triple tax advantage, as contributions are tax-deductible, earnings are tax-free, and withdrawals for qualified medical expenses are tax-free. This makes HSAs a powerful tax-advantaged savings tool.
Flexible Use: Funds in an HSA can be used for a wide range of qualified medical expenses, including doctor's visits, prescription medications, dental care, and even some over-the-counter items. The flexibility in spending is a significant advantage.
Portability: HSAs are portable, meaning you can take the account with you if you change jobs or insurance plans. This allows you to continue using the funds for healthcare expenses in different situations.
Roll-over: Unlike Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), HSA funds roll over from year to year, so there's no "use it or lose it" requirement. This provides long-term savings potential.

Disadvantages of HSAs:

High Deductible Requirement: To be eligible for an HSA, you must be enrolled in a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP). These plans come with higher deductibles, which can be a disadvantage if you have significant healthcare expenses.
Limited Contribution Amounts: There are annual contribution limits for HSAs. While they have increased over the years, they may not be sufficient to cover all medical expenses, especially for those with chronic conditions.
Not for Everyone: HSAs may not be suitable for individuals with high healthcare needs or low income, as they may struggle to fund the account adequately or face financial strain from the high deductible.
Penalties for Non-Qualified Expenses: If you withdraw funds from your HSA for non-qualified expenses before age 65, you'll face a 20% penalty, in addition to paying income tax on the withdrawal. This can deter misuse but may also limit access to your savings.
Investment Risk: While HSAs can be invested in stocks, bonds, or mutual funds for potential growth, there's also the risk of losing money due to market fluctuations. Some individuals may prefer more stable savings options.
Complex Rules: HSAs come with rules and regulations that can be confusing for some people. It's essential to understand the eligibility criteria, contribution limits, and qualified expenses to make the most of the account.
If you enroll in Social Security you will be automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A, which will disqualify you from contributing to an HSA.

Using a brokerage firm for your Health Savings Account (HSA) has certain advantages over going through an insurance company. Here are some of the key benefits:

Investment Options: Brokerage HSAs typically offer a wider range of investment options compared to HSAs provided by insurance companies. With a brokerage HSA, you can invest in a variety of assets such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and exchange-traded funds (ETFs). This can potentially lead to higher returns on your HSA funds compared to a traditional savings account offered by an insurance company.
Greater Control: When you use a brokerage HSA, you have more control over how your HSA funds are invested. You can tailor your investment strategy to your risk tolerance and financial goals, which can be beneficial if you have a longer investment horizon and want to maximize the growth of your HSA.
Lower Fees: Brokerage HSA accounts often have lower fees compared to HSAs offered by insurance companies. These lower fees can result in more of your contributions being invested and growing over time, rather than being used to cover administrative costs.
Flexibility: Brokerage HSAs offer flexibility in terms of investment choices, and you can manage your investments to suit your financial objectives. This can be particularly advantageous for individuals who are comfortable making investment decisions and want to grow their HSA funds over the long term.
Diversification: With a brokerage HSA, you can diversify your investments across different asset classes, reducing risk and potentially improving the performance of your HSA. Diversification can be challenging to achieve in a traditional HSA savings account provided by an insurance company.
Potential for Higher Returns: By investing your HSA funds in a brokerage account, you have the potential to earn higher returns over time, which can help your HSA grow faster and cover more of your healthcare expenses in the future.

While brokerage HSAs have their advantages, it's important to consider a few potential disadvantages as well:

Risk: Investing in a brokerage HSA carries investment risk, which means that your HSA funds can fluctuate in value. If the market experiences downturns, you may lose money, which can be a disadvantage for individuals who prefer a more conservative, low-risk approach.
Expertise Required: Managing investments in a brokerage HSA requires some level of investment knowledge and experience. If you are not comfortable with investment decisions or don't have the time to manage your investments, you may prefer the simplicity of an insurance company HSA.
Fees and Costs: While brokerage HSA fees can be lower than insurance company fees, they still exist. You should be aware of these fees and how they can impact your overall returns.
Administrative Complexity: Brokerage HSAs can be more administratively complex than traditional HSA savings accounts. You'll need to monitor your investments, make asset allocation decisions, and potentially deal with tax reporting requirements.

NOTE: With many insurance company sponsored HSA's, it is a 'use it or lose it' proposition. Any money you do not spend by being frugal goes back to the insurance company.

With a bank or broker, any unused funds remains in the account and hopefully grows over the years. It remains with you, to be used for health related problems, or it becomes part of your estate.

In summary, HSAs offer significant tax advantages and flexibility for those who can manage the high deductible requirement and are willing to invest time in understanding the rules. However, they may not be suitable for everyone, particularly those with high healthcare expenses or limited income. Evaluating your financial situation and healthcare needs is crucial in determining whether an HSA is the right choice for you.