Blog

Guides and answers on HSAs, FSAs, and paying for wellness with pre-tax dollars.

LSA vs HSA: How Brokers Should Advise Clients on Wellness Dollars

A broker framework for LSA vs HSA wellness dollars: the tax math both sides, when the LSA genuinely wins, and when it is just a tax premium.

BrokersHSALSAWellness benefitsFICA

Hammock Team · 5 min read · July 29, 2026

Cost-Neutral Benefits Upgrades: How FICA Savings Can Fund Better Benefits

How employer FICA savings on higher pre-tax contributions can offset the cost of a benefits upgrade — with worked math at 100, 500, and 2,000 employees.

FICAEmployer benefitsHSASection 125

Hammock Team · 5 min read · July 28, 2026

The Open Enrollment Communication Playbook for HSA and FSA Benefits

A four-touch open enrollment communication plan for HSA/FSA benefits: what to send, when to send it, per-pay-period framing, and how to measure results.

Open enrollmentEmployer benefitsHSAFSA

Hammock Team · 5 min read · July 25, 2026

Benefits Employees Actually Use: Designing for Utilization, Not Enrollment

Most benefits are measured at enrollment and forgotten by February. How to design HSA/FSA and wellness benefits employees use every month, not once a year.

Employer benefitsWellness benefitsHSAFSA

Hammock Team · 5 min read · July 23, 2026

Agency Partnerships: Distributing Wellness-Unlocked HSA/FSA Across a Book of Business

How agencies distribute a wellness-unlocked HSA/FSA across a book: the partnership model, the no-migration entry tier, and white-glove support.

BrokersWellness benefitsHSAFSA

Hammock Team · 5 min read · July 22, 2026

Employer HSA Contribution Rules for 2026: Limits, Timing, and Eligibility

The 2026 rules for employer HSA contributions: how the combined limit works, mid-year proration, front-loading vs per-pay-period, and W-2 reporting.

HSAEmployer benefitsComplianceSection 125

Hammock Team · 5 min read · July 21, 2026

The Small Business Guide to HSA Benefits (5–100 Employees)

How small businesses can offer HSA benefits without a benefits team: low fixed costs, simple contribution designs, owner eligibility rules, and how to start.

HSAEmployer benefitsSmall businessFICA

Hammock Team · 6 min read · July 18, 2026

What Is a Specialty HRA? A Plain-English Guide for Employers

A Specialty HRA is a narrow-scope, employer-funded health reimbursement arrangement — capped, tax-free, and built for one category like GLP-1 medications.

HRAEmployer benefitsGLP-1Compliance

Hammock Team · 5 min read · July 16, 2026

The Engagement Metrics Brokers Should Report to Clients (and What Good Looks Like)

Six engagement metrics brokers should report quarterly: participation, elections vs IRS max, active use, found spend, forfeitures, FICA delta.

BrokersHSAFSAFICA

Hammock Team · 5 min read · July 15, 2026

A GLP-1 Benefit Strategy That Isn't a Blank Check: The Employer Guide

How employers can offer GLP-1 coverage without uncapped pharmacy spend or stipend compliance risk — using a capped Specialty HRA and cash-pay pricing.

GLP-1HRAEmployer benefitsCompliance

Hammock Team · 5 min read · July 14, 2026