Who Is Eligible for a Spousal IRA?
To make spousal IRA contributions, the couple must file a joint tax return. The contributing spouse must have earned income (wages, self-employment) at least equal to the total contributions made to both spouses' IRAs. If you both want to contribute $7,000, the working spouse must have earned at least $14,000. There is no separate earned income requirement for the non-working spouse.
How Much Can You Contribute to a Spousal IRA?
Each spouse can contribute up to the standard IRA limit — $7,000 per year in 2026 ($8,000 if age 50+). You can contribute to both a traditional and Roth spousal IRA, but the combined contributions cannot exceed the annual limit per person. Income limits for Roth IRA eligibility are based on the couple's combined MAGI. Deductibility for traditional spousal IRA contributions follows the same rules as regular IRAs.
Why Is a Spousal IRA Important?
A spousal IRA ensures that stay-at-home spouses or those who took time off work can build their own retirement savings. Social Security benefits for non-working spouses are limited to spousal benefits. A spousal IRA creates independent, personal retirement wealth that belongs entirely to that individual. It also provides important estate planning and divorce protection, since IRA assets are held in the individual's name.
Frequently asked questions
Does a spousal IRA affect the working spouse's IRA contributions?
No. Each spouse has a separate IRA with separate contribution limits. The working spouse can fully fund their own IRA and contribute to a spousal IRA for the non-working spouse, as long as total household contributions don't exceed combined earned income.
What happens to a spousal IRA in a divorce?
A spousal IRA is held in the non-working spouse's name and is their individual property. In a divorce, it may be subject to division depending on state laws and any divorce settlement agreement. A Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO) is not required for IRAs — a direct transfer between IRAs handles asset division.