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All About Spousal IRAs

BOSTON (CBS) - A Spousal IRA is used for an unemployed or underemployed spouse. It is an IRA funded for a spouse with little or no income by a working spouse with income.

Their combined income must be at least equal to the amount contributed and they must file a joint tax return for the year the IRA is set up.

The IRA belongs to the nonworking spouse and they can name a beneficiary and choose the investments.

For example, one parent is at home with the twins. The other spouse earns $95,000. The "at home spouse" can set up an IRA for the maximum of $5,500 using their joint income.

If the employed spouse does not have a retirement plan at work, they can both use IRAs and contribute as much as $11,000 for the year. If they are 50 or older they can add an additional $1,000 to each account.

There are a few more rules. If you make too much money the government will not allow you to set up that Spousal IRA. Eligibility for the nonworking spouse is phased out once joint AGI (adjusted gross income) reaches $184,000 and goes away at $194,000. For the working spouse the income levels are lower, and is phased out between joint AGI of $98,000 and $118,000

The spouse can set up a traditional IRA or they can use a Roth IRA. If the "at home spouse" is under 45, I would recommend using the Roth IRA. There are many good calculators on line to help you figure out whether a current deduction or tax-free future income is the better deal. The younger you are the sweeter the deal for tax-free income.

Many couples are making some tough choices about having one parent staying at home when their kids are little. Fifteen or so years out of the job market puts a big hole in their retirement planning.

If you use a spousal IRA for 15 years and contributed on average $3,000 a year you would have contributed $45,000 to the spousal IRA. Now if we assume an 8% return once you reach age 65 you could have over $400,000 in your nest egg.

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You can hear Dee Lee's expert financial advice on WBZ NewsRadio 1030 each weekday at 1:55 p.m., 3:55 p.m., and 7:55 p.m.

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