The Spousal IRA: Retirement Savings for a Spouse Who Doesn't Earn
A non-working spouse can contribute up to $7,500 ($8,600 at 50+) based on the couple's income. Who qualifies, the deduction and what it grows to.
By the MoneyBackKit team · Updated October 27, 2026 · 3 min read
A spouse who isn't earning, or earning very little, can still have an IRA. The rule is that a married couple filing jointly can each contribute up to the yearly limit as long as their combined earned income covers both contributions. It's called a spousal IRA, and it's one of the most overlooked ways for one-income families to save.
2026 limits
- $7,500 per person, or $8,600 from age 50.
- The account is in the non-working spouse's own name; it's theirs, even if the money came from the other spouse's pay.
- Traditional or Roth: the same income limits apply as for any IRA, based on the couple's income.
Example: one spouse earns $120,000, the other stays home
| Non-working spouse | Contribution | Federal tax saved (traditional) | Balance later (7%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age 40, for 25 years | $7,500 | $900 | $507,574 |
| Age 52, for 15 years | $8,600 | $1,032 | $231,237 |
Because the non-working spouse isn't covered by a workplace plan, a traditional contribution for them is fully deductible at this income, even though the working spouse has a 401(k); the deduction only phases out at a joint income of $242,000–$252,000.
IRA Calculator 2026 (Roth & Traditional)Check the IRA limit and deduction for you and your spouse.