**The opening deposit counts toward the annual contribution limit for both an HSA and a traditional or Roth IRA.** There is no extra allowance for initially “seeding” the account. [IRS HSA rules](https://www.irs.gov/publications/p969), [IRS IRA rules](https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/plan-participant-employee/retirement-topics-ira-contribution-limits).

Using your hypothetical $3,250 HSA limit, you could contribute $3,250 when opening it, assuming you’re eligible for that full amount and have made no other contributions for that tax year. That would use your entire allowance, including any employer contributions. Moving money through an ordinary savings account or converting that account would not bypass the limit. [IRS Publication 969](https://www.irs.gov/publications/p969).

You **can open an account with a larger balance using money already held in an eligible tax-advantaged account**:

- **HSA:** Transfer an existing HSA, or make a qualifying rollover from an HSA or Archer MSA. These amounts do not use your annual contribution allowance. A special IRA-to-HSA funding distribution *does* use that allowance. [IRS HSA transfer rules](https://www.irs.gov/publications/p969).
- **IRA:** Transfer an existing IRA or make an eligible rollover from a retirement plan, such as a 401(k). Eligible rollover contributions are exempt from the regular annual contribution limit. [IRS IRA contribution rules](https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/plan-participant-employee/retirement-topics-ira-contribution-limits).

So, $10,000 from your ordinary savings would be subject to the contribution limit; $10,000 transferred from an existing HSA could fund a new HSA while preserving your annual allowance.