A dependent care flexible spending account (FSA) lets participants set aside pre-tax dollars to help pay for dependent care. Contributing to this benefit reduces taxable income and spreads the benefits of pre-tax dollars throughout the year, helping individuals save 30 percent or more (based on their tax rate) on dependent care costs. Dependent Care...
The season for filing taxes is upon us once again. We’re getting closer to the deadline for filing for 2023. We wanted to share a few tips and reminders about health savings accounts (HSA) you’ll need for your tax return. HSA Tax Prep Checklist Check your W-2 for HSA payroll contributions Get your 1099-SA form...
Health savings accounts (HSAs) have become increasingly popular but they often come with misconceptions. To help employees make informed decisions, let’s debunk common HSA myths and shed light on the HSA facts that matter. HSA Fact #1: HSAs are Employee-Owned While employers may choose to contribute to an employees’ HSA, it’s important for employees...
Expanded public transit. The rise and rebound of ridesharing. Increased work-from-home arrangements. The work commute has changed a lot recently, as lawmakers and civic officials grapple with how to effectively support people traveling to and through ever-growing cities. New York City, Washington, D.C., Chicago, Philadelphia and Seattle are among cities that have enacted laws and...
What are pre-tax savings and post-tax savings? Understanding taxes relating to health savings accounts (HSAs), flexible spending accounts (FSAs) and other benefits plans can be time-consuming and difficult to explain. Pre-tax savings are tied directly to FICA taxes. You may be wondering what FICA is and how does pre-tax savings work for HSAs and FSAs?...
In 2023, mental health became a top priority for employees and employers. According to a SHRM study, 41% of U.S. employees said they would likely or would very likely leave their current job if they were offered a new position with significantly improved mental health benefits. While many companies offer employee assistance programs (EAPs), it’s...
Welcome to 2024! As we get ready for another year of sharing the latest benefits trends and practical tips to enhance you and your employees’ benefits experience, let’s look back at our most popular blog posts from 2023. Get the Best Results from Your Benefit Budget Conversations Benefits are critical for attracting and retaining...
As we age, the importance of maintaining safe mobility within our home becomes critical. It is crucial to understand how to save money on common at-home expenses with health savings accounts (HSA) and flexible spending accounts (FSA). From home modifications to adaptive equipment, creating an environment that not only nurtures a person’s well-being but also...
Did you know that, when employees were asked on a scale of 1 to 10 how confident they are in their understanding of their benefits, 34% chose 7 or less. Only 25% responded with a 10. That was just one of the findings from a survey of benefits participants WEX launched in May 2023. Often,...
Are you an HSA investor? If you are, then you have a health savings account (HSA). You’ve heard about its investment potential, and you’ve read that an HSA has retirement-planning perks that a 401(k) and IRA don’t have, and you’re investing to grow your funds so they increase at a much higher rate than they would in an HSA’s cash account. But even the savviest investors can get more out of their accounts.
Simplify investment monitoring
Some HSA investors check their investments every day. Others prefer to check quarterly. The quality of your investment checks and balances matters much more than the frequency. No matter the timing, when looking over your investments, make sure to:
If you participate in an HSA with Advantage Administrators, you can easily check your investments by logging into your online account, clicking the “Accounts” tab, then choosing “Investment Summary” or by logging into our mobile app and clicking on “View HSA Investments.”
Adjust your HSA investment goals
Your financial needs can change, which may result in the need to adjust your investment goals. That’s natural, since an HSA is especially useful in preparing for retirement healthcare costs and the estimate for what retirees need to cover healthcare costs changes annually.
It’s important for an HSA investor to have tools and resources available to help you adjust your investment strategy. Our HSA investment guidance tool helps you set and achieve your investment goals, giving you the ability to:
Lean on HSA investor automation for a hands-off approach
If you’re an HSA investor who is playing the “long game” with your investment strategy, we have good news! While there are bull and bear markets, the stock market has gone up much more often than it has gone down throughout its history. For example, the annual rate of return for stocks in the S&P 500 is 10%. Your investments fluctuate day to day and year to year but, over time, the good years have more than made up for the bad ones.
If you’re in it for the long haul, we make it easy for you to make the most of automation. Within your online account, you can set your HSA to automatically transfer funds from your cash account to your investment account (in $100 increments) when your cash balance reaches a threshold of your choosing.
Education is critical to get the most out of your employee benefits. Stay updated on the latest trends and insight by subscribing to our blog!
The information in this blog post is for educational purposes only. It is not investment, legal or tax advice. For legal or tax advice, you should consult your own counsel.
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