You can have both an HSA and an IRA. Tax-advantaged:

1.Contributions you may make through payroll deposits are made with pretax dollars, meaning they are not subject to federal (or state, for most states) income taxes.

2.Contributions to your HSA made with after-tax dollars can be deducted from your gross income, meaning you pay less income tax at the end of the year.

3.The interest you earn on your HSA balance is not taxed.

4.Withdrawals from your HSA for qualified medical expenses are not subject to federal income tax. As long as you use your HSA funds for qualified medical expenses, you will not have to pay federal (or state, for most states) income taxes.

5.Employers may make contributions to your account; these contributions are excluded from your gross income.

In summary, health savings accounts are:

Flexible: The money is yours; it grows and remains with you, even when you change medical plans, change employers or retire. There are no "use it or lose it" rules. Even if you are no longer eligible to make contributions, funds in your account may still be used to pay for qualified medical expenses tax-free. And after age 65, or in cases of disability, the funds in the account can be used for non-qualified expenses.

Portable: Accounts move with you when you change medical plans, change employers or retire.

Savings mechanism for future health needs: Unused funds can grow through interest and investment earnings and can be "banked" for future medical expenses.

Contributions can come from multiple sources: As long as you are covered by a qualified HDHP, you, your employer, family members, or anyone else may contribute to your HSA up to the maximum annual contribution limit.