An HSA is a tax-advantaged savings account that you can use to pay for medical expenses, offering discounts on many health and medical-related purchases. Its various savings and tax benefits have families asking:
Can my spouse and I open a joint HSA?
Unfortunately, there's no such thing as a joint HSA. HSAs are, by nature and by definition of the IRS, individual accounts. This is true even if you and your spouse are covered by a family high-deductible health plan (HDHP). However, that doesn't mean you and your spouse can't benefit from opening and having HSAs. If you and your spouse are eligible to do so—meaning that you're both covered under a qualifying high-deductible health plan (they usually say HSA in the plan title)—then you can open your own HSAs.
Can I open an HSA if my partner has a family non-high deductible health plan?
Unfortunately, if you're covered by your partner's family non-HDHP, you and your partner cannot open an HSA.
However, if you're NOT covered by your spouse's family plan AND have an HDHP, you can open an HSA.
Can I use my HSA funds to pay for my spouse’s medical expenses?
You definitely can, even if your spouse doesn’t have an HSA or an HDHP. You can also use your HSA funds to pay for the medical expenses of any dependent children claimed on your income tax return. This is true even if your spouse has individual-only coverage under a traditional medical plan.
What's our maximum total HSA contributions if my spouse has an HSA-eligible family plan and I have an individual-only HSA-eligible plan?
First, health savings accounts are regulated by the IRS annually. Here are the set limits this year and next year.
HDHP coverage | 2024 | 2025 |
Individual max | $4,150 | $4,300 |
Family max | $8,300 | $8,550 |
In the eyes of the IRA, you’re one taxable unit, which means you and your spouse share a contribution limit of $8,550 in 2025—however you split it. In other words, if your spouse has an HSA-eligible family plan, the IRS does not increase your family's maximum contribution limit if you also have an individual-only HSA-eligible plan.
What happens if both spouses work for the same employer?
If both spouses work for an employer offering HSAs, then there are a couple of rules to remember. As it stands, two spouses may not both contribute to a single HSA via payroll deduction. Both spouses may contribute to their individual accounts via payroll deduction and then use funds from either HSA to pay for each other's medical expenses. Alternatively, they can choose to only have one spouse open an HSA and have only that spouse contribute to it.
Are there any benefits to my spouse opening their own HSA?
If you or your spouse are 55 or older and qualify for an HSA, the eligible partner can open an account to take advantage of catch-up contributions of $1,000 pre-tax. (Catch-up contributions can only be made by the account holder.)