Last updated: October 2026
Short answer: For 2027, you can put up to $4,500 in a health savings account (HSA) with self-only coverage, or $9,000 with family coverage. That is up from $4,400 and $8,750 in 2026. If you are 55 or older, you can add $1,000 more. To contribute at all, you need an HSA-qualified high deductible health plan (HDHP). In 2027 that plan needs a deductible of at least $1,750 (self-only) or $3,500 (family), and its out-of-pocket maximum can’t exceed $8,700 or $17,400. The IRS set these figures in Revenue Procedure 2026-24.
2027 HSA and HDHP limits at a glance
Unlike retirement plan limits, HSA limits come out in the spring, so the 2027 numbers are final before open enrollment starts. The table compares them with 2026.
| Item | 2026 | 2027 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| HSA contribution limit, self-only | $4,400 | $4,500 | +$100 |
| HSA contribution limit, family | $8,750 | $9,000 | +$250 |
| Catch-up contribution (age 55+) | $1,000 | $1,000 | None (not indexed) |
| HDHP minimum deductible, self-only | $1,700 | $1,750 | +$50 |
| HDHP minimum deductible, family | $3,400 | $3,500 | +$100 |
| HDHP out-of-pocket maximum, self-only | $8,500 | $8,700 | +$200 |
| HDHP out-of-pocket maximum, family | $17,000 | $17,400 | +$400 |
The 2027 figures come from Rev. Proc. 2026-24. The $1,000 catch-up is described in IRS Publication 969. The out-of-pocket maximum counts deductibles, copays and other cost-sharing, but not premiums.
Who can contribute in 2027
You must be an “eligible individual.” According to Publication 969, that generally means you:
- are covered by an HSA-qualified HDHP;
- have no other health coverage that isn’t allowed (some coverage, such as dental, vision and telehealth, is disregarded);
- aren’t enrolled in Medicare;
- can’t be claimed as a dependent on someone else’s return.
Your employer’s contributions count toward the same $4,500 or $9,000 limit. If your employer puts in $1,000 for family coverage, you can add up to $8,000 yourself.
Two rules matter near the edges of the year:
- Last-month rule. If you are eligible on December 1, you can contribute the full annual amount. You then have to stay eligible through the following year (the testing period). If you don’t, part of the contribution is added to your income and a 10% additional tax applies.
- Medicare. Once you enroll in Medicare, you can’t contribute for those months. The money already in the account stays yours to spend.
How much an HSA saves: three examples
Contributions you make yourself are deductible even if you don’t itemize. Contributions through your employer’s cafeteria plan come out of your pay before income tax. Payroll contributions often skip Social Security and Medicare tax as well, so check your pay stub to see how your plan handles them. The examples below count federal income tax only.
| Household | 2027 contribution | Federal bracket | Federal tax saved |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single, age 35, self-only HDHP | $4,500 | 22% | $990 |
| Family, both under 55 | $9,000 | 22% | $1,980 |
| Family, one spouse age 56 | $10,000 | 24% | $2,400 |
The math is simple: contribution × bracket rate. If your contributions also skip the 7.65% payroll tax, a $9,000 family contribution saves another $688.50. To find your bracket, run your income through the income tax calculator.
When both spouses are 55 or older, each can add $1,000. However, each catch-up has to go into that spouse’s own HSA.
HDHP vs a lower-deductible plan at open enrollment
A lower premium plus the tax savings doesn’t always make the HDHP cheaper. Compare the worst case and the expected case for each plan:
- Annual premium. Use your share from the enrollment portal, multiplied by 12.
- Expected care. Add up your likely visits, prescriptions and procedures under each plan’s cost-sharing.
- Worst case. Add the premium to the out-of-pocket maximum.
- Subtract HSA value. Take off the employer HSA contribution plus your tax savings from the table above.
Example: a family HDHP costs $2,400 a year less in premiums than a PPO, and the employer adds $1,000 to the HSA. The HDHP starts $3,400 ahead, before about $1,980 in tax savings on a $9,000 contribution. If the HDHP’s out-of-pocket maximum is $6,000 higher than the PPO’s, a bad year can still cost more. In a typical year, though, the HDHP usually comes out ahead.
If you’re between jobs, the trade-off is different. Compare your continuation coverage with the COBRA cost calculator, and see COBRA vs marketplace coverage.
HSA vs dependent care FSA and retirement accounts
An HSA is the only account where money goes in tax-free, can grow, and comes out tax-free for qualified medical expenses. Unused balances roll over from year to year and stay with you when you change jobs. A dependent care FSA is a separate account with its own $7,500 household cap. You can have both, as explained in our dependent care FSA vs child care credit guide.
Withdrawals for non-medical purposes are taxed as income and may face an additional 20% tax. Many people pay small medical bills out of pocket and leave the HSA invested. If that’s your plan, include the balance in your long-term projections with the retirement calculator.
Frequently asked questions
What is the HSA contribution limit for 2027?
$4,500 for self-only HDHP coverage and $9,000 for family coverage, per IRS Rev. Proc. 2026-24. People 55 and older can add $1,000.
Does my employer’s HSA contribution count toward the limit?
Yes. Employer and employee contributions share one annual limit. That includes contributions made through a cafeteria plan.
What deductible does a plan need to be HSA-eligible in 2027?
At least $1,750 for self-only coverage or $3,500 for family coverage. The out-of-pocket maximum can’t exceed $8,700 or $17,400.
Can I contribute to an HSA after I enroll in Medicare?
No. You can’t make contributions for months when you are enrolled in Medicare. You can still spend the money already in the account on qualified medical expenses.
When is the deadline for 2027 HSA contributions?
Generally the tax filing deadline in April 2028. Contributions for a given year can be made until the return due date for that year, not counting extensions.
Bottom line: For 2027 the limits are $4,500 for self-only coverage, $9,000 for family coverage and $1,000 extra at 55. These figures are final now, so you can set your payroll election during open enrollment. Subtract any employer contribution first. Then multiply what’s left by your bracket rate to see what the account is worth in tax savings.