Early retirees who need a bridge to Medicare could boost their savings at the same time.
Clients who are considering early retirement often look to the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace to shop for their health insurance before Medicare eligibility. Now they have more opportunities to pair that coverage with a powerful savings tool. Starting this year, under the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (OBBBA), all bronze and catastrophic-level ACA plans are now classified as high-deductible health plans (HDHP) and can be paired with HSAs.
A Tax-Savings Trifecta
HSAs remain one of the most tax-efficient planning tools available. Contributions are made pre-tax, grow tax-deferred and can be withdrawn tax-free for qualified medical expenses.
To contribute, the covered individual must be enrolled in an HDHP, such as a bronze or catastrophic-level ACA plan. Unused HSA assets may be rolled over tax-deferred year-to-year, and once the account owner reaches age 65, they may use the assets as a taxable distribution for any purpose, like a traditional IRA.
Previously, individuals enrolled in bronze or catastrophic plans under the ACA were not allowed to open and contribute to HSAs. This added eligibility will likely increase the number of individuals contributing, lower taxable income and introduce the potential for long-term savings for individuals and families. The triple tax-free nature of this account also lends to long-term goals supporting retirement and senior health expense planning. Medicare premium distributions are qualified expenses for HSAs. Read more in CFP Board's Key Elements: One Big Beautiful Bill Act guide.
Explore Compliance Resources for the Code and Standards
To help CFP® professionals understand and comply with the Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct, CFP Board has developed a robust Resource Library that contains a variety of guidance resources, including compliance checklists, FAQs and short videos addressing key elements of the Code and Standards.
Financial Planning Review: ‘Generative AI in Public-Sector Retirement Plans: Behavioral Segmentation Beyond Demographics’
Many investors continue to place high value on human relationships, yet others are clearly interested in integrating AI-driven planning tools into their retirement strategy. The challenge for financial professionals is understanding and effectively responding to these varied client attitudes. In this article from the March 2026 Financial Planning Review (Volume 9, Issue 1), the author explores behavioral segmentation frameworks that offer a practical strategy for financial advisors to identify which clients will be most receptive to new technologies, allowing advisors to position themselves effectively alongside emerging digital solutions. Read more here.
Free Access to New Research and Insights
Financial Planning Review, published by Wiley and housed in CFP Board Center for Financial Planning, features original research that advances the body of knowledge in financial planning and related disciplines. Now part of Wiley’s Open Access portfolio, every article published since January 1, 2025, is free to read, download and share. Explore leading research offering new perspectives and applications for financial planners and educators.
Tax Tip: Deadline Nears for Claiming 2022 Refunds
April 15 isn’t just the deadline for filing 2025 federal tax returns; it’s also the deadline for taxpayers to claim refunds for tax year 2022. According to the IRS, more than 1.3 million people have unclaimed refunds for 2022, totaling approximately $1.2 billion with a median refund of $686. Taxpayers generally have three years to file their tax return to claim a refund. Read more here.
Providers Picked for 530A Accounts
The Treasury Department has selected Bank of New York Mellon as the financial agent for the initial rollout of 530A accounts (referred to as “Trump accounts”), first reported by The Wall Street Journal on Monday. Robinhood Markets will partner with BNY to develop the app for the accounts and to provide customer service. Read more in the WSJ article here.
Integrating AI in Financial Planning
Artificial intelligence is transforming the financial planning profession — how can classrooms prepare? Join faculty from CFP Board Registered Programs on April 14 from 1-2 p.m. ET for a forward-looking discussion on how AI is being integrated into financial planning education. Panelists will share practical strategies, lessons learned and insights on preparing students for an AI-enabled profession.
At CFP Board, we believe each employee contributes directly to our organization's growth and success. We're currently looking to fill several positions in our Washington, DC, office. View the list of currently open positions, and please share these opportunities with your colleagues who may be interested.
