3 HSA Mistakes to Avoid in 2026

By Maurie Backman | Originally posted on The Motley Fool

Steer clear of these blunders to make the most of your account.

There are a number of different accounts you can put money into that come with built-in tax breaks. And it pays to maximize those accounts when possible.

Traditional IRAs and 401(k) plans, for example, give you a tax break on your contributions. Roth IRAs and 401(k)s give you tax-free investment gains, as well as tax-free withdrawals.

The nice thing about HSAs is that they combine all of those benefits into a single account you can fund for medical spending. With an HSA:

• Contributions are tax-free.

• Investments gains are tax-free.

• Withdrawals are tax-free as long as the money is used to cover qualifying healthcare expenses.

If you're in the habit of saving in an HSA, it's important to make the most of that account. With that in mind, here are three HSA mistakes to avoid in the new year

1. Not contributing the maximum amount if you can

Just as IRA and 401(k) limits can increase from one year to the next, so too are HSA contribution limits eligible for a boost. In 2026, they're increasing, and it pays to max out if you can afford to for the tax breaks mentioned.