Benefits Decoder
  1. About you
  2. Your guide
  3. Your report

Benefits Decoder

Four quick questions, then your guide's numbers, decoded.

1. Who are you covering?
2. Age bracket?
3. How much medical care do you expect this year?
4. Anything here sound like you? (optional: pick all that fit; it sharpens your report)
5. Some plans come with an HSA, your own medical account, filled from your paycheck before taxes. How do you feel about covering medical costs?
What are HSAs and FSAs, actually?

HSA (Health Savings Account): a personal account that pairs with high-deductible plans. Money goes in from your paycheck before taxes, many employers add free money on top, and whatever you don't spend stays yours forever. It even works like a bonus retirement account after 65. You use it to cover bills until your deductible is met.

FSA (Flexible Spending Account): the HSA's stricter cousin: also pre-tax, works with any plan, but it's use-it-or-lose-it: unspent money expires at year's end. Best for costs you know are coming (glasses, dental work).

If your guide includes these, your report explains exactly which ones apply and how to use them.