Can both spouses over 55 contribute to HSA catch up?

Asked by: Enrico Smitham  |  Last update: December 31, 2025
Score: 4.3/5 (53 votes)

IRS Catch-Up Contribution Guidelines If a married couple will both be 55 or older, both spouses can make catch-up contributions totaling $2,000. Each spouse must have their own individual HSA to contribute their catch-up contribution into.

Can both spouses do catch-up on HSA contributions?

If you're married and both you and your spouse have separate HSAs, each of you are eligible to make $1,000 catch-up contributions.

How much can a couple over 55 contribute to HSA?

Spousal catch-up contributions

If you and your spouse are both age 55 or over, not enrolled in Medicare, and otherwise eligible, you each can make $1,000 HSA catch-up contributions, but you must do so in separate HSAs. These contributions can be taken as a tax deduction on your personal taxes.

What is the maximum HSA contribution for married couples in 2024?

Additional $1,000 for both 2024 and 2025. Married couples with HSA-eligible family coverage will share one family HSA contribution limit of $8,300 in 2024 and $8,550 in 2025. If both spouses have eligible self-only coverage, each spouse may contribute up to $4,150 in 2024 and up to $4,300 in 2025 in separate accounts.

Is the HSA catch-up contribution per person?

A catch-up contribution allows any HSA holder over the age of 55 to contribute an extra $1,000 over the annual contribution maximums each year (in 2024, this is $4,150 for individuals and $8,300 for families).

HSA Hack for Married Couples Age 55+

21 related questions found

What is the 12 month rule for HSA?

It means you must remain eligible for the HSA until December 31 of the following year. The only exceptions are death or disability. If you violate the testing period requirement, your ineligible contributions become taxable income.

Are employee and spouse considered family for HSA?

Short answer: No. An HSA is owned by one person. Yet, there is a way for you and your spouse to have HSAs of your own. If you and your spouse are covered under the same HDHP, you can each open your own HSA and contribute separately.

How much can a married couple contribute to an HSA in 2025?

The IRS announced a nice increase to the maximum Health Savings Account contributions for 2025. The limit is $4,300 if you are single. The 2025 HSA contribution limit for families is $8,550.

What disqualifies you from contributing to an HSA?

If you can receive benefits before that deductible is met, you aren't an eligible individual. Other employee health plans. An employee covered by an HDHP and a health FSA or an HRA that pays or reimburses qualified medical expenses can't generally make contributions to an HSA. FSAs and HRAs are discussed later.

Can I contribute to an HSA if my spouse is over 65?

Yes, being eligible to contribute to the HSA is determined by the status of the HSA account holder not the dependents of the account holder. Your spouse being on Medicare does not disqualify you from continuing contributions to the HSA up to the family limit, even if they are also covered by the HDHP.

Can my spouse use my HSA if not on my insurance?

Yes, as long as you use the funds to pay for qualified medical expenses, you can pay for any family member who is a tax dependent on your tax return.

Should you max out your HSA?

If you're able, consider contributing the annual maximum amount. The more you can contribute, the more you can benefit from the HSA's potential tax advantages.

Can you use HSA for dental?

Your HSA also covers expenses for standard dental cleanings and dental check-ups. One thing to keep in mind is that some of these procedures may have a co-payment, so it's important that you check with your dental insurance provider to find out exactly what you'll have to pay out of pocket.

What is the maximum HSA contribution for a married couple over 55?

The IRS treats married couples as a single tax unit, which means you must share one family HSA contribution limit of $8,300 if you are on the same health policy. If you and your spouse each have your own self-only coverage, you may each contribute up to $4,150 annually into your separate accounts.

Can I use my HSA to pay for my girlfriend?

The only time you can use your HSA to pay for the healthcare costs of a friend is if you have named that person as a dependent on your most recent tax return (provided that they qualify under the non-relative qualifications — detailed below).

Can you and your spouse have separate HSA?

No, the FHSA is an individual savings plan only. However, if you buy your property with your spouse, you can combine both of your FHSA accounts. The lifetime contribution limit of $40,000 applies to everyone.

What is the loophole for HSA retirement?

For those reasons, it's important to consider whether taking money from an HSA to fund retirement expenses other than medical care makes sense. If you can wait until you're at least 65 to make non-qualified withdrawals, you can avoid the 20% tax penalty.

Can a married couple have two HSA accounts?

Each spouse who wants to contribute to an HSA must open a separate HSA. Dollars cannot be transferred between the HSAs. However, one spouse may use withdrawals from their HSA to pay or reimburse the eligible medical expenses of the other spouse, without penalty. Both HSAs may not reimburse the same expenses.

What is the 6 month rule for HSA contributions?

If you do not stop HSA contributions at least six months before Medicare enrollment, you may incur a tax penalty. If you require counseling around HSAs, consult a tax professional.

What is the age limit for HSA catch up?

Eligible individuals who are 55 or older by the end of the tax year can increase their contribution limit up to $1,000 a year. This extra amount is the catch-up contribution allowed for HSAs.

Can both spouses contribute to Roth IRA?

Each spouse can have their own Roth IRA, allowing both to contribute independently. The total contribution limit for each spouse is $7,000, or $8,000 if they're 50 years or older. Therefore, if both qualify, a married couple can collectively contribute up to $14,000, or $16,000 if both spouses are over 50.

What happens if you contribute too much to HSA?

What happens if I contribute more than the IRS annual maximum? If your HSA contains excess or ineligible contributions you will generally owe the IRS a 6% excess-contribution penalty tax for each year that the excess contribution remains in your HSA. It is recommended you speak with a tax advisor for guidance.

What is the catch up contribution for HSA?

If you're 55 or older, you can contribute an extra $1,000 to your HSA each year. This is called a “catch-up” contribution. If your spouse is also 55 or older, they can make a catch-up contribution to their own account, if they're eligible, but not to yours.

Can my wife inherit my HSA account?

Spouse's rights: If you name your spouse as your beneficiary, they inherit your HSA tax-free and can continue to use the account as their own HSA.

Can I pay for someone else's medical bills with my HSA?

The basic rule: Family Only

You can make tax-free withdrawals from an HSA to cover qualified medical expenses for yourself, your spouse and anyone you claim as a dependent on your tax return. That's it. If you use your HSA to pay for a friend's medical bills you are going to run into a big IRS bill.