[brsiegel]

Well not quite, because Microsoft also contributes $1k to an HSA as part of the plan every year.

That said, having to pay up to $3k a year in medical costs when you're earning a Microsoft salary is a much smaller percent of your income than having the pay the same making $15/hr at an Amazon warehouse.

[filoleg]

HSA is a separate thing that I don't even personally touch, I was talking about insurance itself.

And I agree with your point, that type of an insurance with a fixed cut-off is regressive in a similar way that a sales tax it. So please don't get me wrong, I am not trying to say that Amazon warehouse workers have it just as good as Microsoft SWEs in terms of benefits (or just in general).

They do, however, have the type of health benefits/insurance that is extremely difficult to beat by literally anyone except what other big tech companies provide to their SWEs. And afaik those benefits for Amazon warehouse workers kick-in on day 1, unlike what it's like at many other similar warehouse jobs.

[boring_twenties]

Are you sure you're not confusing HSA with FSA?

The latter should absolutely be avoided, but an HSA is basically just another tax-advantaged retirement account along the lines of an IRA.

[filoleg]

I am not confusing HSA and FSA, but my wording was likely confusing.

When I said "i don't personally touch it", I didn't mean that I avoid it. I just know that it is a part of my benefit package, i get contributions in there, but that's about it. I don't even look at it or interact with it in any way otherwise, because I am not planning to use it until much later in life.

[dlgeek]

You should at least transition it into something appreciating. By default, you make basically no interest, but you can transfer it into investments.

[boring_twenties]

Ah yes, sounds like you're doing it right, my apologies :)