The leftover most mid-year HSA searches miss is self-only room after $3,000, not the empty-plan $4,400 figure and not the family $8,750 leftover.
IRS Publication 969 sets $4,400 for self-only HDHP coverage and $8,750 for family. Age 55 or older adds $1,000. Employer deposits count.
$3,000 already contributed, self-only, under 55: room left $1,400.
The empty-plan leftover used a smaller YTD: $1,200 → $3,200. Family leftover used $2,400: $8,750 → $6,350. Same engine. Different coverage and different clock.
Run the HSA contribution calculator →
Hub: United States calculators.
You generally need a high-deductible health plan to contribute. Employer deposits plus your own deposits share one cap. This is not a cafeteria health FSA and not a dependent-care FSA. Estimate, not tax advice.
Direct answer: self-only $4,400. $3,000 → $1,400
- Self-only 2026 limit = $4,400
- Room = $4,400 − $3,000 = $1,400
- Same $3,000 at age 55 = $5,400 − $3,000 = $2,400 left
- Same $3,000 on family = $8,750 − $3,000 = $5,750 left
limit = $4,400 self-only or $8,750 family, plus $1,000 if 55+
remaining = max(0, limit − YTD including employer deposits)
Self-only vs family on the same $3,000 YTD
| Coverage | Age 55+ | Limit | Room after $3,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-only | No | $4,400 | $1,400 |
| Self-only | Yes | $5,400 | $2,400 |
| Family | No | $8,750 | $5,750 |
The age-55 add-on on an empty plan is a different leftover: HSA catch-up at 55.
What this is not
- A December clock. Self-only coverage that starts December 1 can still unlock the self-only cap under the last-month rule. HSA last-month vs FSA year-end.
- Dependent-care FSA. IRC 129 is $5,000 (or $2,500 MFS). DCAP MFS leftover.
- Payroll tax math. An HSA through payroll can cut FIT and FICA. That is the paycheck calculator, other-pre-tax field.
If each of you has self-only coverage, each HSA can use the $4,400 cap. Family coverage is one shared $8,750. Confirm the coverage on the insurance card, not the 1040.
Yes. Employer + employee share the same $4,400. If payroll already put in $3,000, you have $1,400 left, not another $4,400.
The $1,000 catch-up is available for the year you turn 55. This calculator then shows $5,400. Confirm the deposit timing with Pub. 969 or a preparer.