What is a Flexible Spending Account (FSA)?


Overview

This article discusses Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA).

 

Critical Concepts

There are two types of FSA accounts:

  1. The Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (DepCare FSA) allows you to set aside pre-tax money each year for dependent care expenses, helping you budget for these costs and saving you money on taxes.
    1. Employees with Full, Mid-Level and Core benefits, Academic Student Employees and Graduate Student Researchers are eligible for DepCare FSA.
    2. The DepCare FSA is intended for caregiving expenses to your child (up until 13 years of age) or eligible adult dependent. 
    3. For additional information on eligible dependents/expenses, please review the Summary Plan Description (SPD) available on UCnet. 
  2. The Health Flexible Spending Account (Health FSA) allows you to pay your health related expenses (medical, dental, vision) on a pre-tax basis basis.  
    1. Employees will Full, Mid-Level and Core benefits are eligible.
    2. For additional information on Health FSA eligible expenses, please review the Summary Plan Description (SPD) on UCnet. 
    3. Note: As of 01/01/23, UC offers a Limited Purpose Health FSA. UC's Limited Purpose Flexible Spending Account (LPFSA) is available to you if you meet all of the following criteria:
      1. Are eligible for the Faculty/Staff Benefits program
      2. Participated in the Health FSA during a plan year and end the year with a carry-over balance greater than $25 
      3. Enroll in the UC Health Savings Plan for the following plan year
      4. For more information, please visit UCnet. 

 

Additional Information

For questions related to UC Flexible Spending Accounts (including annual contribution limits and filling deadlines), please review the Flexible Spending Account page on the UCnet website. Please note that Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) are regulated by the IRS. Reimbursement requests must be submitted each year by the annual filing deadline or funds will be lost/forfeited.

If you have additional questions regarding your benefits, please contact the Campus Benefits Office for assistance. UCSD Benefit Representatives.

You may also call UCPath Center directly and speak to an Employee Services Representative at: 855-982-7284 (Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. PST).