IRS Announces HSA and HDHP Limits for 2026

The IRS announced in May 2025 the updated HSA contribution limits for 2026, which take effect in January 2026. While the increase isn't as significant as the jump between 2023 and 2024, it still creates opportunities for employers to reconsider their contribution amounts and for HR teams to remind employees about the benefits of HSA contributions as they prepare for the enrollment process.

What Are the New HSA Contribution Limits?

The IRS announced increases to 2026 HSAs and HDHPs in May, allowing plenty of time for employers to plan for the following open enrollment season.

Employers may want to consider increasing employer contributions, as it is a desirable benefit that can lead to a stronger culture and increased retention.  

How Are New HSA Contribution Limits Determined?

HSA contribution limits are typically adjusted each year for inflation based on the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U). These rates are often released earlier than other employee benefit limits to give employers ample time to plan for the upcoming open enrollment season.

Important Contribution Considerations

Beyond the limit increases for 2026, there are a few other points of note:

• If a married couple has HSA-eligible family coverage, they share a single contribution limit of $8,750 for 2026. If each spouse has self-only coverage, they can each contribute up to $4,400 to their respective HSAs.
• If spouses aged 55 or older wish to each contribute the extra $1,000 catch-up contribution, they must have two separate HSA accounts.
• If one spouse is under 55 while the other is 55 or older, the younger spouse can contribute the full family amount, but the older spouse must open a separate account to contribute the additional $1,000 catch-up amount.
• Unless withdrawn before the tax deadline, excess contributions will be subject to a 6% excise tax.

Additional Resources: 

• Brokers’ Corner Podcast—watch and subscribe to the Brokers’ Corner podcast, which dives into the topics that affect your agency and industry and identifies strategies so you can protect and grow your book of business 
• BerniePortal Brokers’ Council—a council of benefits brokers from across the country that advises BerniePortal on industry concerns, trends, and the ways technology can best support their agency and employer groups 
• BerniePortal for Brokers—leveraging technology to increase your agency valuation and support your employer groups is easier than ever with BerniePortal’s software solution, built for brokers by brokers