News

HIGHLIGHTS

• Each year, the IRS announces inflation-adjusted limits for HSAs/HDHPs.
• The adjusted contribution limits for HSAs take effect as of the next Jan. 1.
• The adjusted HDHP cost-sharing limits (minimum deductible and maximum out-of-pocket) take effect for the plan year beginning on or after the next Jan. 1.

IMPORTANT DATES

January 1, 2018
The new contribution limits for HSAs become effective.

2018 Plan Years
The HDHP cost-sharing limits for 2018 apply for plan years beginning on or after Jan. 1, 2018.

OVERVIEW

On May 5, 2017, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released Revenue Procedure 2017-37 to announce the inflation-adjusted limits for health savings accounts (HSAs) and high deductible health plans (HDHPs) for 2018. These limits include:

• The maximum HSA contribution limit;
• The minimum deductible amount for HDHPs; and
• The maximum out-of-pocket expense limit for HDHPs.

These limits vary based on whether an individual has self-only or family coverage under an HDHP.

The IRS limits for HSA contributions and HDHP cost-sharing will all increase for 2018. The HSA contribution limits will increase effective Jan. 1, 2018, while the HDHP limits will increase effective for plan years beginning on or after Jan. 1, 2018.

ACTION STEPS

Because the cost-sharing limits for HDHPs (minimum deductible and maximum out-of-pocket) will change for 2018, employers that sponsor these plans may need to make plan design changes for plan years beginning in 2018. Also, if an employer communicates the HSA contribution limits to employees as part of the enrollment process, these enrollment materials should be updated to reflect the increased limits that apply for 2018.

HSA/HDHP LIMITS

The following chart shows the HSA/HDHP limits for 2018 as compared to 2017. It also includes the catch-up contribution limit that applies to HSA-eligible individuals who are age 55 or older, which is not adjusted for inflation and stays the same from year to year.

Type of Limit	2017	2018	Change
HSA Contribution Limit	Self-only	$3,400	$3,450	Up $50
Family	$6,750	$6,900	Up $150
HSA Catch-up Contributions (not subject to adjustment for inflation)	Age 55 or older	$1,000	$1,000	No change
HDHP Minimum Deductible	Self-only	$1,300	$1,350	Up $50
Family	$2,600	$2,700	Up $100
HDHP Maximum Out-of-pocket Expense Limit (deductibles, copayments and other amounts, but not premiums)	Self-only	$6,550	$6,650	Up $100
Family	$13,100	$13,300	Up $200