Which plan typically does not permit employee pre-tax contributions?

• A. Health Savings Account
• B. Health Reimbursement Arrangement Plan
• C. Flexible Spending Account
• D. Medical Savings Plan

Answer: (B)

Pre-tax contributions are dollars taken from an employee’s paycheck before taxes are calculated, reducing current taxable income. The key distinction here is who funds the plan and how contributions are handled.

Health Reimbursement Arrangements are funded exclusively by the employer. Employees do not contribute pre-tax dollars to an HRA; the employer provides reimbursements for eligible medical expenses, and those reimbursements are tax-free. Because there’s no employee payroll deduction for an HRA, it typically does not involve employee pre-tax contributions.

The other plans commonly involve employee pre-tax funding: Flexible Spending Accounts are funded by pre-tax employee contributions through payroll deductions; Health Savings Accounts can receive pre-tax or tax-deductible contributions from either the employee or the employer; Medical Savings Plans (MSAs) involve contributions that can come from the employee (and/or employer) and enjoy tax-advantaged treatment.

So, the plan that typically does not permit employee pre-tax contributions is the Health Reimbursement Arrangement Plan.