Health Savings Account
Optum Bank
If you enroll in the High Deductible Health Plan for medical coverage, you will have the option to set up a Health Savings Account (HSA) upon your new hire enrollment, during open enrollment, or if you experience a qualified life event. AHEAD partners with Optum Bank for your HSA.
The HSA allows you to set aside before-tax dollars to use for eligible healthcare expenses now or in the future.
The account is integrated into your Empower Retirement profile—making it convenient to manage your retirement AND health savings account investments. All HSA contribution amount changes are completed within Empower.
AHEAD matches your contributions dollar for dollar, up to $1,000 for individuals and $2,000 for families. This match is made every pay period.
The 2026 HSA contribution limits are $4,400 for employee only coverage and $8,750 for family coverage. Keep in mind, the limit includes AHEAD’s contributions.
If you will be age 55 or older by December 31st, you can contribute an extra $1,000 above the contribution limits.
Employees enrolled in an Optum Health Savings Account (HSA) may choose to invest their HSA funds in mutual funds through Optum or transfer eligible funds to a Health Savings Brokerage Account (HSBA) with Charles Schwad. Click here for more information about these investment options.
Please note: The account holder assumes all risks associated with investing HSA funds. Any investment-related fees, brokerage fees, or other associated costs are the sole responsibility of the account holder and are not paid or subsidized by AHEAD.
New to AHEAD and want to roll over your previous HSA Account into Optum? Click here.
Optum Bank
How the HSA Works
Make before-tax contributions through payroll deductions (up to IRS annual limits). You can change your contribution amount at any time.
Pay for eligible medical, dental and vision expenses using your HSA (up to the available balance in your account). For a list of eligible expenses, visit the IRS website.
Carry over unused funds. All the money in your HSA is yours to keep, year after year.