HSA vs FSA vs Limited-Purpose FSA Calculator
The only account with a triple tax advantage, if you're eligible
HSA vs FSA vs Limited-Purpose FSA Calculator
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HSA tax savings
0
FSA tax savings
0
use-it-or-lose-it, small carryover only
Limited-purpose FSA (dental/vision only)
0
stackable alongside an HSA
HSA is the only truly triple-tax-advantaged account
Contributions are pre-tax (or deductible), growth is tax-free, and withdrawals for qualified medical expenses are tax-free too — no other common account gets this treatment on all three fronts, and unlike an FSA it never expires or resets.
FSA money mostly doesn't roll over
Most employer FSAs allow only a small annual carryover (or a short grace period) before unused funds are forfeited — if you routinely under-spend your estimate, an FSA can quietly cost you money you never see again.
Limited-purpose FSA lets you have both
If you're HDHP-enrolled and want an HSA, a Limited-Purpose FSA (dental and vision expenses only) can run alongside it without disqualifying your HSA eligibility — capturing pre-tax treatment for costs an HSA already covers just as well, freeing the HSA to grow untouched.
Tax savings modeled as expected annual expenses times your marginal rate (a reasonable proxy for the pre-tax benefit both accounts offer on contributions). HSA availability strictly requires enrollment in a qualifying High-Deductible Health Plan; without that, only the FSA options apply regardless of what's shown above. Real contribution limits are set annually by the IRS and are lower for FSAs than HSAs — verify current-year limits don't cap the expense amount modeled here. Not tax advice.