tax-advantaged accounts

4 questions

Can I use an HSA as a retirement account?

Yes. An HSA's triple tax advantage — pre-tax contributions, tax-free growth, tax-free medical withdrawals — makes it more tax-efficient than a traditional IRA or Roth IRA for healthcare expenses. After 65, you can withdraw for any purpose and pay only income tax, making it function like a traditional IRA for non-medical spending.
What is a 403(b) plan?

A 403(b) is a tax-advantaged retirement plan for employees of public schools, nonprofits, and certain other tax-exempt organizations. It works nearly identically to a 401(k): contributions reduce taxable income, grow tax-deferred, and are taxed as income when withdrawn in retirement.
What is a 529 plan?

A 529 plan is a tax-advantaged savings account for education expenses. Contributions grow tax-free, and withdrawals are tax-free when used for qualified education costs — including college, K-12 tuition (up to $20,000/year as of 2026), and student loan repayment.
What is an HSA?

An HSA (Health Savings Account) is a tax-advantaged account for people with high-deductible health plans. Contributions are pre-tax, earnings grow tax-free, and withdrawals for qualified medical expenses are tax-free — a combination no other account offers. Unused funds roll over forever.