Owners of health savings accounts appear to be using the accounts primarily to cover their current expenses rather than fully taking advantage of the accounts' tax preference by contributing the maximum or maintaining HSA balances for retirement health care expenses.
That is the highlight of longitudinal studies conducted by the Employment Benefit Research Institute.
Other highlights include the fact that the use of investments other than cash within HSAs remains low, and that end-of-year account balances increased between 2011 and 2020 but remained low.
“Between 2019 and 2020, average annual individual contributions fell,” EBRI said in a release. “It is possible that as unemployment increased during the pandemic, HSA owners reduced contributions. Notably, average annual distributions fell as well, reaching an all-time low. The decline in both contributions and distributions may also be due to lower use of health care services during the pandemic."
Research reveals a 4% year-on-year increase in expenses that one in five Americans, including one-quarter of Gen Xers, say they have not planned for.
Raymond James also lured another ex-Edward Jones advisor in South Carolina, while LPL welcomed a mother-and-son team from Edward Jones and Thrivent.
MyVest and Vestmark have also unveiled strategic partnerships aimed at helping advisors and RIAs bring personalization to more clients.
Wealth management unit sees inflows of $23 billion.
Deal will give US investment bank a foothold in lucrative European market.
Orion's Tom Wilson on delivering coordinated, high-touch service in a world where returns alone no longer set you apart.
Barely a decade old, registered index-linked annuities have quickly surged in popularity, thanks to their unique blend of protection and growth potential—an appealing option for investors looking to chart a steadier course through today's choppy market waters, says Myles Lambert, Brighthouse Financial.