With HSAs, employers are turning to the 401(k) playbook
More employers are automatically enrolling workers into health savings accounts and paying contributions like a "match."
TL;DR
- Employers are increasingly using 401(k) strategies like auto-enrollment for Health Savings Accounts (HSAs).
- Nearly 46% of employers automatically enrolled workers into HSAs in 2025, up from 32% in 2019.
- HSAs offer a three-pronged tax break: tax-free contributions, tax-free growth, and tax-free withdrawals for qualified health expenses.
- High-deductible health plans, often paired with HSAs, have seen significant growth among employers.
- Many employers provide direct contributions to HSAs, with some matching employee contributions, similar to 401(k) plans.
- These employer contributions aim to help workers cope with rising healthcare costs.