2014 IRA Contribution Limits and HSA Contribution Limits

The IRS has issued 2014 contribution limits for IRAs and HSAs. Take a look below to see what you’ll be able to contribute to your account(s) this year.

The annual contribution limit for IRAs is $5,500 for 2014, which is unchanged from 2013. The additional catchup limit for individuals 50 and older is still $1,000.

The annual contribution limit for 401(k) plans—as well as 403(b) and most 457 plans—will remain unchanged at $17,500. The catchup contribution limit of $5,500 for 401(k) owners over the age of 50 also stays the same from 2013.

It’s important to note that Individual 401(k)s must be established by the end of 2013 in order for contributions to be made to the account for 2013. Contributions as the employer to an Individual 401(k) for 2013 can be made through the extended deadline of the company’s tax return, either Sept. 15 or Oct. 15. Employee deferrals are typically made per paycheck (unless a self-employed individual does not receive regular paychecks, in which case other filing rules apply.)

Health Savings Account (HSA) contribution limits grew slightly to $3,300 for individual plans and $6,550 for family plans. HSA catch-up contribution limits remained unchanged at $1,000 per year for HSA account holders over the age of 55.

Maximum out-of-pocket expenses for High Deductible Health Plans (HDHPs) were heightened slightly to $6,350 for individuals and $12,700 for families. There was no change in HDHP minimum deductibles ($1,250/individuals and $2,500/families).

Remember that anyone can contribute to your HSA. That means if an HSA holder cannot afford to contribute $3,300 to his account this year, a friend or relative can contribute to his account. However, an account can only receive up to the contribution limit in a given year, no matter who or how many people contribute to it.

For more information on IRA and HSA 2014 contribution limits, visit www.NewDirectionIRA.com.

Using the HSA for Long-Term Medical Expenses

A Health Savings Account, or HSA, is a valuable tool in managing medical expenses. They can help you save, pay for certain expenses not covered by your insurance and you can reimburse yourself at any time in the future for medical expenses you incur while the HSA is open.

First, let’s look at Qualified Medical Expenses, or QMEs.

The HSA can be used to pay for QMEs that are not covered by your HDHP. QMEs are medical expenses the IRS allows HSAs to pay, including (but not limited to) dentist and optometrist visits, eyeglasses, transportation to medical care, chiropractic care and much more. The best part is that these expenses can be paid tax-free with the HSA. QMEs include expenses of the individual, their spouse and dependents regardless of their medical insurance coverage.

Secondly, your HSA can reimburse you for QMEs at any time. You decide. You can take a reimbursement the day you incur the medical expense or 30 years in the future. Regardless of when you take the QME reimbursement, it is tax free.

Say you go to the doctor for a checkup and get a bill for $1,000. With an HSA, you can pay that bill with your HSA funds immediately, or you can pay the bill out of pocket, keep the receipt, and reimburse yourself that $1,00 anytime, tax-free, in the future. That gives you $1,00 more dollars in your HAS to invest, which will hopefully appreciate over time.

Note that your HSA cannot pay for medical expenses incurred before the account is opened, but it can reimburse for any expense after that even if the account does not have that amount in it at the time.

Lastly, any withdrawals are subject to ordinary income tax, just like traditional IRAs. So if you and your dependents are fortunate enough to not have medical expenses but you need the money for non-medical expenses after age 65, the HSA works in your favor by letting you keep that money in the account.

There are no Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) for HSAs. That means you may continue to make contributions as long as you are not enrolled in Medicare. When you die, your HSA funds can be used by your spouse or it can be taxed and pass on to your non-spouse beneficiaries.