What is the main purpose of a medical savings account?

The primary purpose of a medical savings account (MSA) is to shelter funds from taxes specifically for medical expenses. These accounts are designed to allow individuals to save money for out-of-pocket healthcare costs in a tax-advantaged way. Contributions made to the account are typically tax-deductible, and the interest earned is also tax-free as long as the withdrawals are used for qualified medical expenses. This means that individuals can effectively manage their healthcare costs while benefiting from tax incentives.

The other options, while they might represent financial opportunities or benefits, do not align with the specific purpose of a medical savings account. For example, providing interest on savings can occur in various types of accounts, but it's not the main motive behind MSAs. Similarly, investing in stocks and bonds or supporting employer contributions to retirement plans pertains to other financial tools and objectives, rather than the focused goal of managing medical expenses through tax savings.