The IRS recently released the 2026 inflation-adjusted amounts for Health Savings Accounts (HSAs).
Employees will be able to save a modest amount more in their HSAs next year.
HSA basics
An HSA is a trust created or organized exclusively for the purpose of paying the “qualified medical expenses” of an “account beneficiary.”
- An HSA can only be established for the benefit of an “eligible individual ” who is covered under a “high-deductible health plan” (HDHP).
- In addition, a participant can’t be enrolled in Medicare or have other health coverage (exceptions include dental, vision, long-term care, accident and specific disease insurance).
- Within specified dollar limits, an above-the-line tax deduction is allowed for an individual’s contribution to an HSA.
- This annual contribution limitation and the annual deductible and out-of-pocket expenses under the tax code are adjusted annually for inflation.
- Inflation adjustments for next year In Revenue Procedure 2025-19, the IRS released the 2026 inflation-adjusted figures for contributions to HSAs.
- For calendar year 2026, the annual contribution limitation for an individual with self-only coverage under an HDHP will be $4,400.
- For an individual with family coverage, the amount will be $8,750.
- These are up from $4,300 and $8,550, respectively, in 2025.
- There’s an additional $1,000 “catch-up” contribution amount for those age 55 or older in 2026 (and 2025).
- An HDHP is generally a plan with an annual deductible that isn’t less than $1,700 for self-only coverage and $3,400 for family coverage in 2026 (up from $1,650 and $3,300, respectively, in 2025).
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- In addition, in 2026, the sum of the annual deductible and other annual out-of-pocket expenses required to be paid under the plan for covered benefits (but not for premiums) can’t exceed $8,500 for self-only coverage and $17,000 for family coverage.
- In 2025, these amounts are $8,300 and $16,600, respectively. Advantages of HSAs There are a variety of benefits to HSAs.
- Contributions to the accounts are made on a pre-tax basis.
- The money can accumulate tax-free year after year and can be withdrawn tax-free to pay for a variety of medical expenses such as doctor visits, prescriptions, chiropractic care and premiums for long-term care insurance.
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- For an individual with family coverage, the amount will be $8,750.
In addition, an HSA is “portable” — it stays with an account holder if he or she changes employers or leaves the workforce.
Contact us if you have questions about HSAs at your business.