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.

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Importantly, after age 65, HSA funds can be withdrawn for any purpose without penalty (though non-medical withdrawals are taxed as ordinary income, similar to a Traditional IRA).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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