Retirement tax questions

Yes.  However, be sure to actually test your tax returns both ways before filing.  You may pay more taxes filing MFS, and some deductions and credits are reduced or disallowed (like the childcare credit, dependent care FSA, eligibility for IRA contributions, and some other things).  Also, be aware that if one spouse itemizes deductions, both spouses must itemize, even if one spouse claims the deductions and the other spouse claims zero amount. You can't stack all the deductions on one spouse and the other claim the standard.