What is a Health Savings Account?
A Health Savings Account (HSA) is a savings account you can open if you are covered by a high-deductible health plan (HDHP) and have no other disqualifying coverage. Money you put in is meant for medical costs. It can be used for deductibles, copays, prescriptions, dental and vision care, and many other qualified expenses, and unlike many other accounts it stays yours when you change jobs. This calculator shows your contribution limit for 2026 or 2027, how much room you have left, and a rough idea of the tax you could save.
HSA limits for 2026 and 2027
The IRS adjusts the limits every year. For 2026 (Revenue Procedure 2025-19), you can contribute up to $4,400 with self-only coverage or $8,750 with family coverage. For 2027 (Revenue Procedure 2026-24), the limits are $4,500 and $9,000. If you are 55 or older at the end of the year and are not enrolled in Medicare, you can add a $1,000 catch-up contribution. That amount is set by law and does not rise with inflation. The table above also lists the minimum deductible and out-of-pocket maximum a plan must have to count as an HDHP.
Married? If either spouse has family HDHP coverage, both are treated as having family coverage, and the family limit is shared between the two spouses' HSAs in any split they agree on (IRS Publication 969). Each spouse age 55 or older adds their own $1,000 catch-up to their own HSA only.
Your limit counts everything that goes into your account for the year, including money from your employer. If your employer puts in $1,000 and your limit is $4,400, you have $3,400 of room left. Contributions for a tax year can be made until the tax-filing deadline the following April, so 2026 contributions are still possible now.
If you are covered for only part of the year
If you are covered by an HDHP for only some months, the limit is figured one month at a time: one twelfth of the annual limit, and of the catch-up, for each month you are covered on the first day of the month. There is also a special "last-month rule" that can treat you as covered for the whole year if you are covered on December 1, but it comes with a 12-month testing period and has tax consequences if you fail it. The calculator uses the monthly method only. Your limit also drops to zero starting with the first month you are enrolled in Medicare.
How an HSA can lower your taxes
- Federal income tax: contributions you make are deductible, whether or not you itemize. Employer contributions, including those made through a workplace cafeteria plan, are not counted as your income.
- Social Security and Medicare tax: contributions made through your paycheck by your employer are exempt from these payroll taxes. Money you put in on your own and deduct on your tax return is not, so the calculator only counts this saving when you tick the payroll box.
- State tax: most states with an income tax follow the federal rule, but not all do. California does not recognize HSAs, so contributions are not deductible there and earnings are taxed each year. New Jersey generally does not follow the federal tax break either. Check your state's rules.
The estimate on this page uses your pay minus the standard deduction and the 2026 federal brackets. For 2027 the limit is official, but the tax estimate still uses 2026 brackets because the IRS had not yet published 2027 brackets as of October 13, 2026. Your actual saving depends on your whole tax return.
What happens if you put in too much
If you contribute more than your limit, you generally owe a 6% excise tax on the excess for each year it stays in the account. You can avoid it by withdrawing the excess, plus any earnings on it, by the due date of your tax return for that year, including extensions. The calculator shows the excess and the 6% figure as a warning, not as tax advice.
Using the money later
Withdrawals for qualified medical expenses are tax-free. If you take money out for anything else, it counts as income and, before age 65, usually carries an additional 20% tax. After age 65, a non-medical withdrawal is taxed like income but without the extra 20%. Because balances can be invested and carried forward, some people treat an HSA as a long-term account, which is why the page has an optional growth illustration based on numbers you choose.
Frequently asked questions
What is the HSA contribution limit for 2026 and 2027?
For 2026 it is $4,400 for self-only coverage and $8,750 for family coverage. For 2027 it is $4,500 and $9,000. People age 55 or older who are not on Medicare can add $1,000 in either year.
Do married couples share one HSA limit?
Yes, if either spouse has family HDHP coverage. The family limit ($8,750 in 2026, $9,000 in 2027) is shared between both spouses' HSAs, so add up what both of you and your employers put in. Each spouse 55 or older can add a $1,000 catch-up, but only to that spouse's own HSA.
Do employer contributions count toward my HSA limit?
Yes. The limit covers all contributions to your HSA from every source, including your employer's. The calculator counts your employer's amount first and then shows how much of your own money still fits under the limit.
Can I contribute to an HSA if I am on Medicare?
No. Your HSA contribution limit is zero starting with the first month you are enrolled in Medicare. You may still spend money already in the account on qualified medical expenses. If you are close to 65, see our Medicare costs page for key dates.
This page gives general information and estimates, not tax, legal or financial advice. For your own situation, read IRS Publication 969 and Form 8889 instructions or ask a tax professional. You can also compare your savings options with the IRA calculator and the 401(k) and retirement calculator, or see your take-home pay in the paycheck calculator.