Portability
The ability to keep your HSA when you change jobs, retire, or switch health plans.
What is Portability?
Portability means your HSA belongs to you, not your employer. When you change jobs, retire, or switch health plans, your HSA and all its funds go with you. You never lose access to money you've accumulated.
This is different from FSAs and most HRAs, which are tied to your employer. When you leave a job, you typically forfeit remaining FSA funds, but your HSA balance is always yours.
Even if you lose HDHP coverage, you keep your HSA. You just can't make new contributions until you're HSA-eligible again. You can still use existing funds for qualified medical expenses, and any investments continue to grow tax-free.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens to my HSA when I change jobs?
Nothing - it's yours. You keep the same HSA, or you can transfer to a new provider. Your employer can't touch the money.
What if I lose HDHP coverage?
You keep your HSA and can spend existing funds on qualified expenses. You just can't contribute new money until you have HDHP coverage again.
Can my employer take back their contributions?
No. Once employer contributions are in your HSA, they're yours. Unlike 401(k) matching, there's no vesting period.
Related Terms
Health Savings Account (HSA)
A tax-advantaged savings account for people with high-deductible health plans to pay for qualified medical expenses.
Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
An employer-sponsored account that lets you pay for eligible healthcare expenses with pre-tax dollars, typically with a use-it-or-lose-it rule.
Rollover
Unused HSA funds that carry forward to the next year, unlike FSA balances that typically expire.
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