The IRS announced the 2026 limits for High-Deductible Health Plans (HDHP) and Health Savings Accounts (HSA), indicating slight increases:
| 2026 | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
| HSA Maximum Contribution: | ||
| Self-Only Coverage | $4,400 | $4,300 |
| Family Coverage | $8,750 | $8,550 |
| Age 55+ Catch Up Contribution | $1,000 | $1,000 |
| High-Deductible Health Plan (HDHP): | ||
| Annual Deductible-Single | $1,700 | $1,650 |
| Annual Deductible-Family | $3,400 | $3,300 |
| Maximum Out-of-Pocket-Single | $8,500 | $8,300 |
| Maximum Out-of-Pocket-Family | $17,000 | $16,600 |
With their tax benefits, HSAs are an excellent planning tool for your current and future healthcare needs. Consider taking a few minutes to evaluate and plan for this year, next year, and possibly decades beyond.
Are you eligible? If you have a High-Deductible Health Plan and meet all other HSA eligibility requirements, you are eligible to contribute to an HSA. And you can make changes to your contribution amount at any time during the year. Healthcare costs can add up, especially in your retirement years. Consider contributing the maximum amount, if possible. If that’s out of reach, any amount that you can afford to save is going to help. Talk to your employer to get started.
Spend or save? With an HSA, you can utilize the assets to pay for current eligible medical expenses, whether it’s a $10 prescription or hundreds of dollars for a procedure. But a key benefit of an HSA is that you do not need to spend the money within a specific time frame. Not only does the money roll from year to year, but you can also save it for decades.
My HSA hack: I pay out of pocket and save all of my receipts. At the end of each month, I evaluate whether I want to request a reimbursement or just let the money stay invested. I’ll often find myself holding off on submitting a reimbursement for the less expensive months; if I leave that $20 in my HSA account, it can accumulate to much more in the future. But, I still scan and save those receipts – my $20 first aid purchase now may be worth thousands during my retirement years. And if I run into a financial emergency before then? Well, I can request a reimbursement using those qualified medical expenses. Knowing that money is there provides peace of mind.
Is your HSA invested? We have some investment-savvy people here! In a 2024 survey, The Plan Sponsor Council of America indicated that 18% of participants invest their HSA. In a survey BPAS conducted earlier this year, 64% of participants indicated that their HSA is invested. If your HSA is at BPAS, you can invest from the very first dollar, there’s no minimum cash reserve required. Your balance might have been defaulted into a stable value investment, so if you’re considering saving for the longer-term, know that you have the opportunity to invest in a variety of mutual fund investments. Log into your account to review your options.
In the healthcare world, it’s recommended to get annual exams and routine screenings to potentially identify and treat any issues. In the HSA world, it’s recommended to review your financial health periodically for similar reasons. Take a few minutes to learn more about Health Savings Accounts and how they may benefit you.