Health FSA Forfeit Risk Calculator
Avoid leaving pre-tax dollars behind at year end. Enter your remaining FSA balance and months left to size the monthly spend needed, the shortfall versus your current plan, and any forfeiture after applying carryover allowances.
Confirm eligibility rules and carryover limits with your benefits administrator.
Examples
- $1,850 balance, 4 months left, $275 planned monthly spend, $640 carryover ⇒ Monthly spend needed to use funds: $462.50 • Planned spend leaves a gap of: $187.50 per month • Projected forfeiture after carryover: $110.00 • Carryover remaining unused: $0.00 • Total eligible spend scheduled: $1,100.00
- $900 balance, 2 months left, no planned spend, no carryover ⇒ Monthly spend needed to use funds: $450.00 • Planned spend leaves a gap of: $450.00 per month • Projected forfeiture after carryover: $900.00 • Carryover remaining unused: $0.00 • Total eligible spend scheduled: $0.00
FAQ
How do I handle a run-out period?
Use the months until the last eligible service date, not the claim submission deadline, because services must be incurred before run-out ends.
Can I include expenses already scheduled?
Yes. Add their average monthly cost to the planned spend field so the calculator reflects them in the projection.
What if my plan allows a grace period instead of carryover?
Set the carryover allowance to $0 and use the grace-period months in the deadline input to see how much you must spend before forfeiture.
Additional Information
- Most health FSAs are subject to use-it-or-lose-it rules; only approved carryover or grace periods prevent forfeiture.
- Eligible expenses include prescriptions, contact lenses, dental work, and many OTC items—verify with your administrator.
- If your employer offers both a grace period and a carryover, run the calculation twice to evaluate each deadline.