HSA Eligibility

Say you have a high-deductible plan from your employer that covers your family and you are retiring and going on Medicare during 2015. At that time, you can no longer contribute to the HSA (and must pro-rate any lump sum 2015 contribution). After retirement, your employer sets up an HRA for you and makes an annual contribution to the account. My question is whether your < 65 year old spouse can set up and contribute to her own HSA in 2015, subject to the appropriate limits.

From the IRS:

To be an eligible individual and qualify for an HSA, you must meet the following requirements. o You must be covered under a high deductible health plan (HDHP), described later, on the first day of the month. o You have no other health coverage except what is permitted under Other health coverage, later. o You are not enrolled in Medicare. o You cannot be claimed as a dependent on someone else's 2013 tax return.

For "other health coverage," the IRS says: You (and your spouse, if you have family coverage) generally cannot have any other health coverage that is not an HDHP. However, you can still be an eligible individual even if your spouse has non-HDHP coverage provided you are not covered by that plan.

It would appear that the spouse can set up and contribute to the HSA except I am confused by other things I read about how your HRA could possible prevent it. Any information would be appreciated.

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pixel_a_ted
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So I found out that the HRA my employer sets up is only for the use of the Medicare eligible retiree. That removes what I read was a potential disqualification for the spouse setting up her own HSA. It seems then that the spouse should be able to do so. Can someone confirm or relate their experience?

Reply to
pixel_a_ted

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