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The 2027 HSA limits are $4,500 for self-only coverage and $9,000 for family coverage, according to the IRS figures released on June 1, 2026 under Revenue Procedure 2026-24, as summarized by benefits administrator Ascensus. That is $100 and $250 higher than in 2026. With many employers running open enrollment now, this guide covers the 2027 HSA limits, the plan rules that go with them, and how a flexible spending account (FSA) differs. We reviewed industry summaries rather than the IRS notice itself, and this is general information, not tax advice.
2027 HSA limits at a glance
| Item | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| HSA contribution limit, self-only | $4,400 | $4,500 |
| HSA contribution limit, family | $8,750 | $9,000 |
| HDHP minimum deductible, self-only | $1,700 | $1,750 |
| HDHP minimum deductible, family | $3,400 | $3,500 |
| HDHP out-of-pocket maximum, self-only | $8,500 | $8,700 |
| HDHP out-of-pocket maximum, family | $17,000 | $17,400 |
People age 55 and older can add a $1,000 catch-up contribution on top of those limits, according to NerdWallet. The 2026 and 2027 figures above match the tables in the WEX summary.
Who can use an HSA
You need a high-deductible health plan (HDHP) to contribute to an HSA. For 2027, a plan qualifies if its deductible is at least $1,750 for self-only coverage or $3,500 for family coverage, and its out-of-pocket maximum is no more than $8,700 or $17,400. When you pick a plan at open enrollment, check that it is labeled HSA-eligible, because a plan with a high deductible is not always a qualifying one.
Two other rules come up often. In general, you cannot contribute to an HSA while you are also covered by a general-purpose health FSA, though a limited-purpose FSA for dental and vision is a common exception. And once you enroll in Medicare, you can no longer contribute to an HSA. Ask your benefits office how these apply to you.
How HSAs and FSAs differ
NerdWallet lays out the main differences:
- Eligibility. An HSA requires an HDHP. A health FSA does not, but it is offered through an employer.
- What happens to unused money. HSA funds stay in your account with no deadline, even if you change plans, and can be invested. FSA money is generally use-it-or-lose-it, subject to any rollover or grace period your employer offers.
- Contributions. FSA contributions come out of pay before tax. HSA contributions can come through payroll or be made directly, and you can make contributions for the prior tax year until the filing deadline.
- Non-medical withdrawals. Before age 65, an HSA withdrawal for non-medical purposes is taxable and may carry an additional 20% tax. After 65, it is taxed as income without the penalty.
What is known about the 2027 FSA limit
The health FSA limit for 2026 is $3,400, or about $283 a month, and the IRS limit on rolled-over funds is $680, per NerdWallet. The 2027 health FSA limit had not been announced in the material we reviewed. Websites that publish 2027 FSA numbers are projecting them, so wait for the IRS before planning around a specific figure. Rollover and grace periods are optional for employers, so read your plan documents.
A short open-enrollment checklist
- Check whether each plan is HSA-eligible. Look for the label, then compare the deductible and out-of-pocket maximum with the 2027 HDHP thresholds.
- Do the contribution math. A $4,500 limit is $375 a month. A $9,000 family limit is $750 a month. Employer contributions count toward the limit.
- Estimate your medical spending. If you are likely to use an FSA, spend only what you expect to, since leftover funds may be lost.
- Look at other open-enrollment decisions. If you are choosing a marketplace plan instead, see our ACA open enrollment guide, and for Medicare, our Medicare open enrollment guide.
Editor’s take
The 2027 HSA limits rise only modestly, so the bigger decision is the plan itself. A higher HSA limit helps only if you can afford the higher deductible that comes with it. If you can, an HSA is the more flexible account because the money stays with you. If your medical costs are predictable and your employer offers an FSA, the FSA can still make sense, but plan to spend it. Watch for the IRS to confirm 2027 FSA and retirement-plan limits in the coming weeks; our look at the projected 2027 tax brackets tracks what else is pending.
