This investing move is the ‘holy grail of retirement planning,' advisor says

Core Insights - The article discusses the importance of Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) for long-term investment and retirement planning, highlighting their tax benefits and the growing trend of investing HSA funds [1][6][4] HSA Overview - As of December 31, 2024, over 59 million Americans had an HSA, with the expansion of HSA eligibility due to recent legislative changes [3] - HSAs provide triple-tax benefits: contributions are tax-deductible, funds grow tax-free, and withdrawals for medical expenses are tax-free [6] Investment Trends - Despite the tax advantages, most HSA participants do not invest their funds, with only 20% investing in 2024, an increase from 18% in 2023 [8] - Two-thirds of employers offered investment options for HSA contributions in 2024, but minimum balance requirements hinder participation [8][7] Retirement Costs - The average healthcare cost for a 65-year-old retiring in 2025 is projected to be $172,500, reflecting a more than 4% increase from 2024 [4] - The rising costs of medical expenses in retirement underscore the importance of utilizing HSAs for long-term savings [4]