Spousal IRAs Offer Overlooked Tax Break for Retirement Savers

Married couples can boost retirement savings through this lesser-known strategy, financial advisors say.

Mar. 12, 2026 at 3:53pm

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Spousal IRAs allow married couples in single-income households to double their tax-advantaged retirement savings. The strategy involves a non-earning spouse opening a separate Roth or traditional IRA, as long as the working spouse has sufficient earned income. Advisors say this is an "overlooked tax break" that can help boost retirement savings, especially when one spouse temporarily leaves the workforce.

Why it matters

Spousal IRAs provide an opportunity for married couples to maximize their retirement savings, even in single-income households. This strategy can help diversify a couple's tax exposure in retirement and is particularly useful when one spouse takes a break from the workforce.

The details

Spousal IRAs allow married couples to each contribute up to $7,000 (plus an additional $1,000 catch-up contribution for those 50 and older) to a Roth or traditional IRA for 2025. This effectively doubles the household's tax-advantaged retirement savings. The contributions can be made up until the April 15 tax deadline. Spousal IRAs can provide an upfront tax deduction for traditional IRA contributions, depending on income and workplace retirement plan participation.

  • The deadline to make 2025 spousal IRA contributions is April 15, 2026.
  • IRA ownership reached a record high in mid-2024 with 57.9 million U.S. households owning accounts.

The players

Randy Bruns

Certified financial planner and founder of advisory firm Model Wealth in Naperville, Illinois.

Otto Rivera

Certified financial planner and principal at advisory firm Mindful Wealth in the greater Orlando, Florida area.

Christopher Giambrone

Certified financial planner and co-founder of advisory firm CG Capital in New Hartford, New York.

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What they’re saying

“As long as the working spouse has sufficient earned income, both spouses can make IRA contributions. This effectively doubles the household's opportunity to save in tax-advantaged accounts.”

— Randy Bruns, Certified financial planner and founder of advisory firm Model Wealth (CNBC)

“I wish more couples knew about it.”

— Otto Rivera, Certified financial planner and principal at advisory firm Mindful Wealth (CNBC)

“Funneling spousal IRA contributions to Roth accounts could provide 'tax-free income later in retirement'.”

— Christopher Giambrone, Certified financial planner and co-founder of advisory firm CG Capital (CNBC)

What’s next

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The takeaway

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