Non-employed spouses can contribute up to $8,600 to spousal IRAs in 2026

8 articles · Updated · The Motley Fool · May 3

The 2026 limit is $7,500 for those under 50 and $8,600 for people 50 or older, using a working spouse's earned income.
Spousal IRAs can be traditional or Roth accounts opened in the non-employed spouse's name, with traditional contributions potentially lowering household taxable income.
Roth income limits still apply, couples can split savings between account types within annual caps, and the account legally belongs to the named spouse, which can matter in divorce.

Is a spousal IRA always the smartest choice, or do other accounts offer better flexibility for single-income families?

With Social Security cuts looming, how can couples best use a spousal IRA to secure their retirement?