I work for a large company and am currently enrolled in an eligible HDHP and contribute to an HSA and my company also contributes. I am currently age 65 and I do no not collect social security and am not enrolled in Medicare. Our open enrollment season is coming up for 2026 and I would like to stay in my plan and continue to contribute to an HSA as long as I am legally eligible, but will change plans if that is safer or required to not break any rules. I plan to retire on 2/28/2027 and go on Medicare and Social Security starting 3/1/2027.
From my research, I should apply for Medicare 3 months in advance of my retirement date, so on 12/1/2026, and there is a 6 month lookback rule from that date for NOT contributing to my HSA. That would be 6/1/2026.
Am I correct that my combined personal plus company contribution to my HSA is the equivalent of 5 months of 2026? So 5/12 of $4400, plus 5/12 of the $1000 catch up contribution?
Please advise if my understanding is correct or incorrect, as I do not want to get dinged for excess contributions or any other violation of these complex rules. Is it simply safer to just go on another health care plan at work and not contribute to an HSA at all in 2026? Thank you.
