Key takeaways:
For 2026, the health savings account (HSA) contribution limits rise to $4,400 for people with self-only coverage and $8,750 for those with family coverage, up from $4,300 and $8,550 in 2025.
You can use your HSA to pay for a variety of qualified medical expenses, including prescription medications and eyeglasses. However, you can only contribute to your account during the months you’re considered HSA eligible.
You have until April 15 to make HSA contributions for the prior year. That means for tax year 2026, you can make HSA contributions until April 15, 2027.
Health savings accounts (HSAs) continue to grow in popularity. Data collected by Devenir shows that total HSA assets had reached nearly $147 billion across more than 39 million accounts as of December 31, 2024.
An HSA is a tax-advantaged savings account that allows you to set aside money to pay for qualified medical expenses. Contributions are made with pretax dollars, and the funds can grow tax-free and be withdrawn tax-free when used for eligible healthcare costs.
Before you put money into an HSA, it’s important to understand the contribution limits. While the IRS has increased the limits for 2026, your personal contribution cap will depend on several factors, such as your age, whether you have self-only or family coverage, and whether you qualify for catch-up contributions.
Below, we will review the new HSA contribution limits for 2026 and explain how they vary based on coverage type and age.
For the 2026 tax year, the IRS has increased the contribution limits for HSAs. If you have self-only high-deductible health plan (HDHP) coverage, you can contribute up to $4,400 to your HSA. If you have family HDHP coverage, the contribution limit rises to $8,750.
If you’re 55 or older by the end of the tax year and not enrolled in Medicare, you’re allowed to contribute an additional $1,000 to your HSA as a catch-up contribution. This means:
If you’re 55 or older and have self-only HDHP coverage, you can contribute up to $5,400 in 2026.
If you’re married and have family HDHP coverage, your standard contribution limit is $8,750 in 2026.
If both you and your spouse are age 55 or older and not enrolled in Medicare, each of you can make a $1,000 catch-up contribution to your own HSA. Your total combined family contribution limit is $10,750 in 2026.
You can begin making HSA contributions for the 2026 tax year as early as January 1, 2026. You don’t have to contribute the full amount all at once. You have until the tax filing deadline of April 15, 2027 to reach your annual limit. However, if the IRS extends the tax filing deadline, the HSA contribution deadline will also be extended.
Your maximum HSA contribution amount for 2026 will depend on several factors, including:
The type of HDHP you are enrolled in (i.e., self-only or family)
Your age
Which months you are eligible to contribute to an HSA
Whether you qualify for the HSA last-month rule
Health savings accounts (HSAs) vs. flexible spending accounts (FSAs): Depending on your healthcare needs, an HSA could offer more flexibility and more long-term savings than an FSA.
How does an HSA work? Find out how contributing to an HSA can help you save on healthcare costs today and during retirement.
Can you use your HSA to pay for lip balm? Lip balm is typically an HSA-eligible expense if it meets certain requirements. But here’s what you should know.
Let’s say that, in 2026, you will:
Be 43 years old
Have self-only HDHP coverage
Be enrolled in an HDHP for only 6 months
Since you will not be HSA eligible for the entire coverage year, you’ll need to prorate your contribution limit. In this case, you can contribute up to 50% — or 6 months’ worth — of the annual limit. Instead of being able to contribute the full $4,400 to your HSA, your contributions will be capped at $2,200 for 2026.
HSA contribution limits are increasing from 2025 to 2026. For 2026, the HSA contribution limit is $4,400 for people with self-only coverage, up from $4,300 in 2025. For people with family coverage, the contribution limit for 2026 is $8,750, up from $8,550 in 2025.
This table shows the HSA contribution limits for 2025 and 2026 side by side.
Coverage | 2025 HSA contribution limits | 2026 HSA contribution limits |
---|---|---|
Self-only | $4,300 | $4,400 |
Family | $8,550 | $8,750 |
If you have an HSA, you will be able to use your funds to pay for a variety of qualified medical expenses tax-free in 2026. These include common healthcare costs like copayments, deductibles, prescription medications, dental work, and vision care.
You can also invest unused HSA funds and use them in the future, even during retirement. But if you want to save money on healthcare costs in 2026, here are some HSA-eligible expenses you will be about to use your funds for:
Dental care (e.g., cleanings, fillings, and dentures)
Eye exams and prescription eyeglasses and contact lenses
Hearing aids and batteries
Menstrual care products (e.g., tampons, pads, period underwear)
Over-the-counter medications
Wheelchairs and other medical equipment
You can also use your HSA to pay for prescription medications, including popular medications like:
Albuterol (Ventolin) for asthma and breathing difficulties
Amlodipine (Norvasc, Katerzia, Norliqva) for high blood pressure
Atorvastatin (Lipitor, Atorvaliq) for high cholesterol
Mounjaro (tirzepatide) for Type 2 diabetes
Wegovy (semaglutide) for chronic weight management
In general, you cannot use your HSA for:
Expenses reimbursed by your insurance plan or another source
Nonmedical expenses (unless you're over age 65, in which case withdrawals will be taxed but not penalized)
Cosmetic procedures
Yes, your unused HSA funds will roll over automatically from 2025 to 2026. One of the benefits of an HSA is that you don’t lose unused money at the end of the year. Any remaining balance in your HSA carries over into the next year. Unlike with a flexible spending account (FSA), there is no deadline to spend the funds in an HSA account.
HSA contribution limits have been increased again for 2026. For the 2026 tax year, you can contribute up to $4,400 if you have self-only coverage, compared to $4,300 in 2025. If you have family coverage, you can contribute up to $8,550, which is $200 more than the 2025 limit. Keep in mind that these are the standard contribution limits for 2026. Your personal HSA contribution limit will depend on multiple factors, including your age and which months you are HSA eligible.
Devenir. (2025). Devenir report shows HSA assets reach nearly $147 billion by year-end 2024.
Internal Revenue Service. (2025). 26 CFR 601.602: Tax forms and instructions.
This article is solely for informational purposes. This article is not professional advice concerning insurance, financial, accounting, tax, or legal matters. All content herein is provided “as is” without any representations or warranties, express or implied. Always consult an appropriate professional when you have specific questions about any insurance, financial, or legal matter.