Is a spousal IRA worth it if one partner stays home to raise kids?

Often yes. A stay-at-home parent who leaves the workforce risks a large gap in their own retirement savings and Social Security record. A spousal IRA lets the household keep funding the non-earning partner's retirement using the working spouse's income, on a joint return. Each spouse owns a separate account with its own annual limit, so the couple can save meaningfully more than a single IRA would allow. It also keeps the at-home spouse's retirement money in their own name, which matters for independence and in the event of divorce or death. Choose Roth or Traditional based on your household tax picture. Verify eligibility and the current contribution limits at irs.gov.