The IRS released the 2027 inflation-adjusted contribution limits for Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and high-deductible health plans (HDHPs). Savers get a modest bump on both self-only and family coverage, along with a higher excepted-benefit HRA ceiling. See the full IRS notice here (PDF File).
Why it matters: HSAs remain the only triple-tax-advantaged account in the tax code — contributions are deductible, growth is tax-free, and withdrawals for qualified medical expenses are tax-free. Higher limits mean more room to shelter income while building a long-term healthcare nest egg.
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The 2027 HSA Numbers
- Self-only HSA contribution limit: $4,500 (up $100 from $4,400 in 2026)
- Family HSA contribution limit: $9,000 (up $250 from $8,750 in 2026)
- HDHP minimum deductible: $1,750 self-only / $3,500 family (up from $1,700 / $3,400)
- HDHP maximum out-of-pocket: $8,700 self-only / $17,400 family (up from $8,500 / $17,000)
- Catch-up contribution (age 55+): $1,000 (unchanged — set by statute, not indexed to inflation)
- Excepted-benefit HRA cap: $2,250 for plan years beginning in 2027 (up from $2,200)
The percentage view: The self-only HSA contribution limit rises about 2.3%, and family contributions rise about 2.9%. Both increases track modest inflation readings, but smaller than the jumps savers saw in 2023 and 2024 when CPI was running hot.
How this connects: The College Investor has covered HSAs as part of the broader retirement and tax-advantaged account stack.
With the IRA contribution limit holding at $7,000 for 2026 and 401(k) deferrals climbing, an HSA can function as a stealth retirement account. A household maxing the family limit each year from age 30 to 65, with average market returns, can build a six-figure healthcare reserve by retirement.
Importantly, after age 65, HSA funds can be withdrawn for any purpose without penalty (though non-medical withdrawals are taxed as ordinary income, similar to a Traditional IRA).
The bottom line: If you're enrolled in an HSA-eligible HDHP in 2027, update your payroll contribution election to capture the new limits. And don't forget you can always top-up your HSA contributions until the tax deadline!
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Robert Farrington is the founder of The College Investor and is widely recognized as one of the nation’s leading voices on student loan debt and saving for college. He holds an MBA from UC San Diego Rady School of Management and has spent over 15 years researching, writing, and advising on student loans, 529 plans, financial aid programs, and saving and investing for young professionals.
Robert has been featured in the The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, NBC News, and Forbes, where he has been a regular personal finance contributor for over a decade. His work combines both professional expertise and personal experience – he successfully navigated his own student loan repayment journey and has helped thousands of readers do the same.
He is committed to making the intersection of personal finance and education transparent and accessible. You can learn more about Robert on the About Page or on his personal site RobertFarrington.com.