HSA Contribution Limits 2027: $4,500 Single, $9,000 Family

If you are picking a health plan for next year, one number matters a lot: how much you can put into a Health Savings Account, or HSA. An HSA is a savings account you can use for medical costs, and the money you put in gets special tax treatment.

The IRS has already published the 2027 limits in Revenue Procedure 2026-24. Here is what changed, who qualifies, and what to do before the year starts.

What are the HSA limits for 2027?

The IRS sets two limits, one for self-only coverage and one for family coverage. Both go up for 2027. Here is how they compare with 2026:

The limit covers everything that goes in the account in a year, including money your employer contributes. So if your employer adds $500 and you have self-only coverage, you can add up to $4,000 yourself.

The extra $1,000 is for people who are 55 or older by the end of the tax year, per IRS Publication 969. That makes the 2027 maximum $5,500 for self-only coverage and $10,000 for family coverage. The catch-up amount is set by law and is not adjusted for inflation.

What counts as a high deductible health plan in 2027?

You can only contribute to an HSA if you are covered by a high deductible health plan, often shortened to HDHP. It is a health plan with a higher deductible than usual. A deductible is what you pay for care before your insurance starts paying.

The IRS changed the 2027 lines as well:

Out-of-pocket costs here mean deductibles, copayments and other amounts you pay, but not premiums. A plan has to fit inside both lines. Not every plan labeled “high deductible” is HSA-eligible, so ask your insurer or HR team to confirm.

What is new for HSAs since the 2025 tax law?

The IRS has described several changes from the One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act in IR-2025-119:

• Bronze and catastrophic plans: As of January 1, 2026, these plans count as HSA-compatible. Notice 2026-05 says they do not have to be bought through a Marketplace exchange.
• Telehealth: You can get telehealth and other remote care before meeting your deductible and still be HSA-eligible.
• Direct primary care: This is a monthly fee paid to a doctor’s office for regular care. Starting in 2026, it does not block HSA eligibility if the fees stay at or below $150 a month ($300 if the arrangement covers more than one person). Those amounts stay at $150 and $300 for 2027, according to Rev. Proc. 2026-24.

What does it look like per paycheck?

Here is an illustration of how to spread the 2027 limit over the year. It assumes you contribute only through payroll and hit the limit exactly.

The math for the biweekly self-only column is $4,500 ÷ 26 = $173.08. Contributions can be deducted on your tax return even if you do not itemize, per Publication 969. If you put in $4,500 and your top federal tax rate is 22%, that is a tax cut of about $4,500 × 0.22 = $990. This is an illustration, since your own rate and state taxes will differ.

To see how a contribution changes your take-home pay, try the paycheck calculator. The income tax calculator can show the effect on your tax bill. Our 2027 HSA limits page has more detail.

What if I turn 65 or sign up for Medicare?

Your limit stops when Medicare starts. Publication 969 says that beginning with the first month you are enrolled in Medicare, your HSA contribution limit is zero. That also applies if Medicare coverage is backdated.

If you enroll partway through the year, your limit is prorated by month. For example, suppose you have self-only coverage, you are 55 or older, and your Medicare starts in July 2027. You were eligible for six months, so your limit is ($4,500 + $1,000) × 6 ÷ 12 = $2,750. This is an illustration. Publication 969 gives a similar example for 2025.

If Medicare enrollment is on your radar, our Medicare open enrollment guide covers the key dates.

What happens if I contribute too much?

Money above your limit is an excess contribution. According to Publication 969, excess contributions are not deductible and you generally owe a 6% excise tax each year the extra stays in the account. If you are over, talk to your HSA provider about removing it.

Spending the money matters too. Publication 969 says withdrawals for anything other than qualified medical expenses are taxed as income and may face an additional 20% tax.

When can I make 2027 contributions?

You do not have to wait for January to plan. Contributions for a given year can generally be made until the tax filing deadline of the next year. For example, Publication 969 says you can make 2025 contributions through April 15, 2026. By the same pattern, 2027 contributions would run through the spring of 2028, but check the date when it gets closer.

What to do now

1. Check your plan. Find out whether the health plan you are picking for 2027 is HSA-eligible. Ask for the 2027 deductible and out-of-pocket maximum in writing.
2. Pick your number. Decide how much to contribute from each paycheck. Stay at or under $4,500 for self-only coverage or $9,000 for family coverage, including anything your employer adds.
3. Add the catch-up if you qualify. If you turn 55 by December 31, 2027, you can add $1,000.
4. Test your take-home pay. Run the numbers in the paycheck calculator before you lock in an amount.
5. Watch the Medicare date. If you are nearing 65, plan your last HSA contribution month so you do not go over.
6. Keep records. Save receipts for medical spending paid from the HSA, as Publication 969 advises keeping records that show the money was used for qualified expenses.
7. Look at the bigger picture. The retirement calculator can help you see how HSA savings fit with the rest of your plan.

This article is general information, not personal financial advice.