HSA contribution calculator: your limit & the triple tax break
The myth that costs people thousands: "an HSA is use-it-or-lose-it, so why bother." That's an FSA. An HSA rolls over forever, the money is yours, and it's the only account with a triple tax advantage — deductible in, tax-free growth, tax-free out. See your 2026 limit and what the tax break is worth.
Your 2026 HSA
Your numbers
Worked examples
Single 41-year-old, self-only HDHP all year
Your 2026 HSA contribution limit: $4,400
$4,400 self-only = $4,400. Contributing the max saves about $1,056 in tax this year.
✓ Unlike an FSA, none of this expires — it rolls over every year, it's yours, and it goes with you if you change jobs. Deductible in, tax-free growth, tax-free out for medical costs. You can still add $2,550.
Your numbers
- Coverage: Self-only
- Base 2026 limit: $4,400
- Your 2026 limit: $4,400
- Already contributed: $1,850
- Room remaining: $2,550
- Est. tax saving on the max (24%): $1,056
Family plan at 57, maxing out with catch-up
Your 2026 HSA contribution limit: $9,750
$8,750 family + $1,000 catch-up (55+) = $9,750. Contributing the max saves about $3,120 in tax this year.
✓ Unlike an FSA, none of this expires — it rolls over every year, it's yours, and it goes with you if you change jobs. Deductible in, tax-free growth, tax-free out for medical costs.
Your numbers
- Coverage: Family
- Base 2026 limit: $8,750
- Age 55+ catch-up: +$1,000
- Your 2026 limit: $9,750
- Est. tax saving on the max (32%): $3,120
Started family HDHP in June, already over the prorated cap
Your prorated 2026 HSA limit: $5,104
$8,750 family × 7/12 months = $5,104. Contributing the max saves about $1,123 in tax this year.
⚠ You're $1,196 over your limit. Withdraw the excess (plus its earnings) by the tax deadline, or it's hit with a 6% excise tax every year it stays in the account.
Your numbers
- Coverage: Family
- Base 2026 limit: $8,750
- Prorated for 7 months of coverage: × 7/12
- Your 2026 limit: $5,104
- Excess over the limit: $1,196
- Est. tax saving on the max (22%): $1,123
Examples are recomputed whenever the underlying rates or data change; the date above is the last recompute.
How HSA limits work & data sources
For 2026 you can contribute up to $4,400 with self-only HDHP coverage or $8,750 with family coverage, plus a $1,000 catch-up if you're 55 or older (each spouse who is 55+ needs their own HSA to make their own catch-up). To qualify you must be covered by a High Deductible Health Plan — for 2026 that means a deductible of at least $1,700 (self) / $3,400 (family) and out-of-pocket max no more than $8,500 / $17,000. If you weren't eligible all year, the limit is generally prorated by months of coverage (the last-month rule can let you contribute the full amount if you're eligible on December 1, with a testing period). The triple tax advantage: contributions are deductible (or pre-tax via payroll), growth is tax-free, and withdrawals for qualified medical costs are tax-free. Unlike a Health FSA, funds roll over and are portable — never use-it-or-lose-it. Contribute over the limit and the excess faces a 6% excise tax each year until withdrawn. After 65 you can still withdraw for anything (non-medical is taxed as income but with no 20% penalty); once on Medicare you can no longer contribute.
Sources: IRS — Rev. Proc. 2025-19 (2026 HSA/HDHP limits) · IRS — Pub. 969 (HSAs, rollover, triple tax)
Frequently asked questions
Do I lose my HSA money at year-end?
No. That's the FSA rule. Every dollar in an HSA rolls into next year and stays yours indefinitely — you can even invest it and let it grow for retirement.
What happens if I over-contribute?
The excess is hit with a 6% excise tax for each year it stays in the account, unless you withdraw it (plus earnings) by the tax filing deadline. This tool flags it if you enter an amount already contributed.
Is the HSA really a retirement account?
It can be one of the best. After 65 you can withdraw for any reason (non-medical is taxed as ordinary income, like a traditional IRA, but with no penalty), and medical withdrawals stay tax-free — so it's a stealth retirement account with a health-cost bonus.
Can I have an HSA on Medicare?
You can keep and spend an existing HSA, but you can't contribute once you enroll in Medicare. Many people front-load contributions in the years before 65.