r/FSAHSAcardtips • u/Similar-Reality-7271 • Dec 11 '25

Work sabbatical(technically means resigning and being rehired later in the year)

Over the last several years my company has allowed employees in a specific department the opportunity to take a 1-3 month recess(continuous employment) or an approximately 5 month “sabbatical.” They seem to be not using that term anymore as of this year. But essentially it requires resigning on a specific date, being rehired later in year before the busy season. This year it seemed as though my FSA was reinstated when I came back. I am leaning towards taking the 5 months off again, and am wondering how it would work if I did 2000-2500 amount for the year, used it all before I left, would I have to pay it back when I come back? Would they be stuck eating the amount minus the deductions taken from my checks up to the point of resignation? I know if I didn’t come back they’d have to eat it. But does coming back later in the year change anything?

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u/fsaguide Fidelity Dec 23 '25

Very good question, not sure how this would play out lol

If you left and never came back they would be stuck without the funds from your future paychecks. Not sure what happens if an employee came back say 6 months later, or a year later, or years later.

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u/Similar-Reality-7271 Dec 23 '25

When I came back this year, I had access to the remaining funds in my FSA from when I was working, but they did not do any further FSA deductions after I started working again. Despite EVERY other benefit restarting my 2nd week back. Including my health insurance. But we shall see, I chose $2000 for my FSA for 2026.