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LearnFAQRetirement Planning

Can I contribute to a Roth IRA if I have no earned income but my spouse works?

Answer

Yes, through a spousal IRA. The IRS lets a non-working or low-earning spouse contribute to their own IRA based on the working spouse's compensation, as long as you file a joint return and the earning spouse has enough taxable compensation to cover both contributions. Each spouse still gets their own account and their own annual limit, so a couple can effectively double their household IRA savings even on one income. The account belongs to the non-working spouse, not the earner. This is one of the most overlooked moves for single-income households and stay-at-home parents. Check the current-year contribution limits at irs.gov, since the IRS adjusts them for inflation most years.

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