Episode 116

full
Published on:

18th Sep 2023

The Ultimate Retirement Account: Health Savings Account (HSA) | E116 Sean Mullaney

We often hear about 401Ks and IRAs, two incredible retirement planning tools but what if I told you there was a third, secret retirement account that trumps both of these?

Today we are discussing the Health Savings Account, or HSA, and why the HSA is not only a financial game-changer for managing your medical expenses but also a powerful tool to build wealth for your future.


This episode is a replay of episode 40 where I interviewed Sean Mullaney Financial Planner, and the voice behind FITaxGuy.com. I needed to recast this episode because it is hard to cover Mastering Money at Work if I don’t talk about HSAs.


You’ll uncover how HSAs offer a triple tax advantage, giving you tax deductions when you contribute, tax-free growth, and tax-free withdrawals for qualified medical expenses.


But here’s the real kicker: an HSA can become a pseudo-retirement fund by delaying your reimbursements and investing your contributions for the long haul.


If you want to learn how to do that along with if you qualify for an HSA, how to keep your expenses organized, and what to do if your company doesn’t offer an HSA, well then you’re in the right place.


Also, note this episode is originally from 2021. All of the information is still relevant and helpful but the HSA contribution limit has increased from $3,600 to $3,850 and increasing to $4,150 in 2024.


Alright, let’s get into it. I hope you enjoy my conversation with FI Tax Guy himself…Sean Mullaney.


Key Takeaways:

  • What is a HSA
  • How do you qualify for a HSA
  • Tax benefits of an HSA
  • Is a HSA my health insurance?
  • Who a HDHP the right for you
  • How to figure out if your insurance qualifies for a HSA
  • How to get a FICA tax break when funding your HSA
  • Examples of qualified medical expenses
  • How to use your HSA as a pseudo-retirement account
  • The HSA contribution limit (increased to $3,850 in 2023)
  • How to keep your HSA expenses organized
  • How to set up an HSA independently if your employer doesn’t offer one


Mentions:

IRS Publication 502: https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p502.pdf


More of Sean:

www.MullaneyFinancial.com

www.FITaxguy.com


More of The Struggle is Real:

Find show notes and more at https://www.tsirpodcast.com/

Follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/tsirpod/

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About the Podcast

FI Minded - Financial Independence, Early Retirement & Lifestyle Design
Achieve Financial Independence & Have Fun Doing It
Pursuing financial independence, financial freedom, or early retirement often leads to the same questions: How do I become financially independent? How much should I save? What happens after I reach FI?

FI Minded helps you use money to create more freedom, without turning your entire life into a financial optimization project.

Host Justin Peters explores the decisions behind building a flexible, work-optional life, from reaching financial independence and navigating Coast FI and Slow FI to spending your money, changing careers, stepping away from work, and figuring out what comes after FI.

Each episode combines practical personal finance with conversations about early retirement, lifestyle design, work, spending, healthcare, self-employment, and life after financial independence. The goal isn't simply to reach FI as quickly as possible. It's to make progress toward financial freedom while actually enjoying your life along the way.

On FI Minded, you'll learn how to:
- Reach financial independence without burning out
- Build a flexible, work-optional lifestyle
- Navigate Coast FI, Slow FI, and other paths to FI
- Make smarter decisions about spending and saving
- Prepare financially and emotionally for early retirement
- Figure out what life can look like after financial independence
- Think through the tradeoffs behind major money and lifestyle decisions
- Make progress toward financial independence while actually living your life.

Some of our past guests include Carl Jensen (1500 Days), Jeremy Schneider (Personal Finance Club), Nick Loper (Side Hustle Show), Andrew Giancola (The Personal Finance Podcast), Jordan Grumet (Earn & Invest), Rachael Camp (Work Optional), Jillian Johnsrud (Retire Often), Sean Mullaney (FI Tax Guy), Jill Sirianni (Frugal Friends), Jackie Cummings-Koski (Catching Up to FI), Joel Larsgaard (How to Money), Cody Garrett (Measure Twice), Jesse Cramer (Personal Finance for Long-Term Investors), Jess (The Fioneers), Chris Hutchins (All The Hacks), Diania Merriam (EconoMe), Andy Hill (Marriage Kids Money), Fritz Gilbert (Retirement Manifesto), Maggie Tucker (Inside Out Money), Cody Berman (The Financial Independence Show), Joe Saul-Sehy (Stacking Benjamins), Doug Cunnington (Mile High FI), and and others helping you rethink how to approach financial independence.
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