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Are You Fully Leveraging Your Health Savings Account as a Walmart Employee?

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BBB Update

Key individual tax changes from Trump's 'big beautiful' bill
Current law vs. final legislation

Current law Final legislation
Standard deduction
$15,000 single; $30,000 married filing jointly for 2025 $15,750 single; $31,500 married filing jointly for 2025
'Bonus' deduction for older adults
$1,600 for age 65 and older for 2025; $2,000 unmarried / not surviving spouse for 2025 $7,600 for age 65 and older; $8,000 for unmarried / not surviving spouse; both from 2025 through 2028
State and local tax deduction (SALT)
$10,000 limit through 2025 $40,000 limit for 2025; increases by 1% through 2029; reverts to $10,000 in 2030
Child tax credit
Max credit of $2,000 per child through 2025; refundable portion $1,700 for 2025 Max credit of $2,200 per child; refundable portion $1,700 for 2025
Estate and gift tax exemption
$13.99 million single; $27.98 million married filing jointly for 2025 $15 million single; $30 million married filing jointly for 2026
Tax on tips
N/A Deduct up to $25,000 per year from 2025 though 2028
Overtime pay
N/A Deduct up to $12,500 per taxpayer from 2025 through 2028
Auto loan interest
N/A Deduct up to $12,500 per taxpayer from 2025 through 2028
Auto loan interest
N/A Deduct up to $10,000 of annual interest on new loans from 2025 through 2028
Trump Accounts for child savings
N/A One-time $1,000 credit to account per child born between 2025 through 2028
Charitable deduction for non-itemizers
N/A after 2021 $1,000 single; $2,000 married filing jointly; permanent after 2025

Source: CNBC

Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) were introduced under the administration of George W. Bush in 2003, but their adoption was initially slow, with only about $10 billion in assets by the end of their first decade. However, growth surged in the years that followed, particularly alongside the rise of high-deductible health plans, which are a prerequisite for HSA eligibility.  By the end of 2023, HSA assets had grown to over $123 billion, according to data from consulting firm HSA Devenir .

A significant portion of HSA funds—$77 billion—remains in savings accounts, primarily used to cover out-of-pocket healthcare expenses. Meanwhile, $46 billion has been allocated for long-term investment in bonds, despite recent market fluctuations affecting balances. The investment feature within HSAs has gained popularity due to its substantial tax advantages, such as pre-tax contributions, tax-deferred growth, and tax-free distributions for qualified medical expenses, making HSAs more appealing than other retirement vehicles like IRAs and 401(k)s.

Concerns about contributing too much to HSAs may seem misplaced given the account's flexible withdrawal options. In cases where the account balance exceeds expected healthcare expenses, there are two primary strategies to access the funds while maintaining the tax benefits.

Strategy 1: Spend Now, Reimburse Later

This strategy encourages using non-HSA funds for immediate healthcare costs, allowing the HSA balance to grow tax-free. One of the greatest flexibilities of HSAs is the lack of a time limit for reimbursing yourself for past medical expenses, as long as you maintain proper documentation. For instance, if a Walmart employee paid $5,000 for medical expenses from a non-HSA account in 2023 and then contributed the maximum family limit of $8,300 to their HSA in 2024 without using it, they could reimburse themselves in December 2024 for the $5,000 spent on 2023 healthcare. This reimbursement would be tax-free, provided they can document the 2023 expenses. While this strategy allows for tax-free fund access, it may be more beneficial to preserve HSA funds for maximum tax-free growth.

Strategy 2: HSA Withdrawals After Age 65

Once you reach age 65, HSA withdrawal rules become even more flexible. Funds can be withdrawn for any purpose, much like distributions from a traditional IRA or 401(k), where withdrawals are taxed but enjoy prior tax-free contributions and growth. This makes HSAs a powerful additional savings vehicle for retirement. For Walmart employees who used non-HSA assets for medical expenses and preserved their HSA funds, these funds can be accessed for any reason after age 65, as long as past medical expenses are documented.

The Importance of Strategic HSA Management

While HSAs offer flexible withdrawal options, it’s essential to manage them strategically, especially considering inheritance scenarios. Unlike IRAs, HSAs do not offer the same tax benefits when inherited by non-spouses, as the inherited funds become fully taxable. Walmart employees with HSAs may want to consider spending these funds on healthcare expenses or designating charitable beneficiaries, who would not face tax liabilities on inherited amounts.

A well-thought-out strategy is crucial for HSA beneficiaries. Spouse beneficiaries can continue to enjoy HSA tax benefits, but in cases where a non-spouse is the beneficiary, it is advisable to prioritize strategic withdrawals to minimize tax impacts.

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In conclusion, the evolution of HSAs highlights their growing recognition as both a healthcare funding and retirement resource. Their dual tax efficiency and flexibility make them a valuable part of any comprehensive financial strategy, especially for Walmart employees seeking to effectively manage healthcare costs while optimizing retirement savings growth. HSAs are not just tools for managing healthcare expenses; they are also essential components of a broader financial plan.

According to a recent study by the Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI) in April 2023, one key aspect of HSAs is their significance for individuals approaching retirement . The study revealed that those over 55 with HSAs had significantly higher average balances ($45,000) compared to their younger counterparts. This underscores the importance of HSAs not only as a tool for managing healthcare expenses but also as an essential asset in retirement planning. Many in this demographic take advantage of the catch-up contribution (an additional $1,000 allowed for individuals over 55), further bolstering their financial stability during retirement transitions.

Think of an HSA as a hybrid financial vehicle: it combines long-term tax savings with the power of investment growth. Just as a hybrid car uses both fuel and electricity to optimize efficiency and performance, an HSA leverages both immediate tax benefits and future financial growth opportunities to optimize healthcare and retirement savings. By funding short-term medical expenses with tax-advantaged dollars and growing investments for future use, the HSA mirrors the flexibility and long-term benefits of a hybrid, making it a key component of Walmart's strategic retirement planning.

What type of retirement savings plan does Walmart offer to its employees?

Walmart offers a 401(k) savings plan to help employees save for retirement.

Does Walmart match employee contributions to the 401(k) plan?

Yes, Walmart provides a company match on employee contributions to the 401(k) plan, up to a certain percentage.

What is the eligibility requirement for Walmart employees to participate in the 401(k) plan?

Walmart employees are generally eligible to participate in the 401(k) plan after completing a specified period of service.

Can Walmart employees choose how much to contribute to their 401(k) plan?

Yes, Walmart employees can choose to contribute a percentage of their salary to their 401(k) plan, within IRS limits.

What investment options are available in Walmart's 401(k) plan?

Walmart's 401(k) plan offers a variety of investment options, including mutual funds and target-date funds.

How can Walmart employees access their 401(k) account information?

Walmart employees can access their 401(k) account information online through the designated retirement plan website.

Is there a vesting period for the company match in Walmart's 401(k) plan?

Yes, Walmart has a vesting schedule for the company match, meaning employees must work for a certain period to fully own the matched funds.

Can Walmart employees take loans against their 401(k) savings?

Yes, Walmart allows employees to take loans against their 401(k) savings, subject to specific terms and conditions.

What happens to Walmart employees' 401(k) savings if they leave the company?

If Walmart employees leave the company, they can roll over their 401(k) savings into another retirement account or withdraw the funds, subject to taxes and penalties.

Does Walmart provide financial education resources for employees regarding their 401(k) plan?

Yes, Walmart offers financial education resources and tools to help employees make informed decisions about their 401(k) savings.

With the current political climate we are in it is important to keep up with current news and remain knowledgeable about your benefits.
Walmart offers a 401(k) plan with a company match of 100% on the first 6% of eligible pay contributed by employees. The plan features a range of investment options, including target-date funds and mutual funds. Employees can also take advantage of financial education and retirement planning resources. Additionally, Walmart provides an Associate Stock Purchase Plan with company match contributions to help employees build their retirement savings.
Walmart offers RSUs that vest over a specified period, converting into shares upon vesting. Stock options are also available, allowing employees to purchase shares at a fixed price.
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