The $1,000 HSA catch-up is an age rule, not a family-size rule. You must be 55 or older by December 31. It stacks on the coverage limit. It is not the IRA catch-up (that one starts at 50 and is $1,100 in 2026).
- Self-only HDHP, under 55: $4,400
- Self-only HDHP, 55+: $5,400
- Family HDHP, under 55: $8,750
- Family HDHP, 55+: $9,750
If you already put $2,200 in a self-only 55+ HSA, room left is $3,200.
Dependent-care FSA is a different cap ($5,000): DCAP calculator. More tools: United States calculators hub.
Room you can re-run
| Coverage | Age 55+? | YTD | Limit | Left |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Self | No | $0 | $4,400 | $4,400 |
| Self | Yes | $0 | $5,400 | $5,400 |
| Self | Yes | $2,200 | $5,400 | $3,200 |
| Family | No | $0 | $8,750 | $8,750 |
| Family | Yes | $0 | $9,750 | $9,750 |
limit = (self $4,400 or family $8,750) + ($1,000 if age 55+) left = max(0, limit − YTD)
December 1 HDHP can still unlock the full-year limit under the last-month rule. That story is HSA last-month vs FSA, not a second catch-up.
Not the IRA, not the 401(k)
- IRA catch-up starts at 50. 2026 IRA is $7,500, or $8,600 at 50+. IRA calculator.
- 401(k) catch-up is a different statute and a much bigger dollar. 401(k) catch-up.
- Health FSA has no 55+ bump. Many plans are use-it-or-lose-it. Not this engine (and the health FSA tool is not on this site yet).
This calculator adds one $1,000 when you tick age 55+. Two catch-ups need two HSAs (each spouse’s own account). Do not type $2,000 into one box and call it done.
An HSA payroll contribution is other pre-tax on the paycheck calculator. Traditional 401(k) is not. Different box.
It is the Pub 969 self-only limit plus the $1,000 catch-up this engine uses. Family + catch-up is $9,750. Medicare enrollment can block new HSA contributions even if you are 55+.
Over the limit and the excess is yours to fix. HDHP eligibility, last-month testing, and Medicare are not modeled here.