Spousal IRAs: A way to pair up on saving

Typically you need earned income to contribute to an IRA, but a spousal IRA relaxes that requirement and gives a husband or wife with low or no annual wages a way to save tax-efficiently for the future too.

It's not a different IRA type but simply a Roth or traditional IRA that lets a nonworking spouse have access to the tax favors and benefits that IRAs offer.

It's not a joint account but rather a separate IRA set up in the spouse's name and belonging exclusively to that spouse. But keep in mind that even though it's a single-owner account, in order to open a spousal IRA, you must be married and filing a joint tax return.

A spousal IRA provides a way to boost your retirement savings as a couple. Plus the spouse gets access to the same wide variety of investment choices, ranging from mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) to individual stocks and bonds.

And while the maximum annual contribution limit of $5,500 ($6,500 for investors age 50 or older) may not seem like much, contributing this amount each year could make a real difference in a couple's retirement savings over time.