It's open enrollment season at my employer. They now offer a HSA-qualified health plan but make it pretty clear in the benefits booklet that it is up to the employee to set up and fund his/her own HSA account. I've been trying to call HR to verify that they will not do pre-tax withholding and auto-pay to an account I set up but it sure looks that way. The booklet lists transferring money from my checking account (after-tax obviously) to my HSA account as the method for funding it.
So how do I get the tax benefits of this? I see that it can be claimed on the 1040 but what about the FICA savings? I've been googling but can't find a good answer.
Any other considerations for funding with after-tax dollars when pre-tax isn't an option?
TIA for any help.