Contribution to IRA

[cgmartin]

I am 68 years old, retired and drawing a pension from CalPERS in California.  My wife is 62 and is a stay-at-home wife. She does not earn a pension. I have been told by bank officials that I cannot contribute to my IRA.  Does that also apply to my wife? 

We file a joint return and I want to reduce my taxable income. My wife already has an existing IRA she got several years ago. Can she contribute to her own IRA and have the amount reduce our taxable income for tax year 2019?

[dmertz · Accepted solution]

Since neither of you has compensation (income reported in box 1 of a W-2 minus any amount in box 11 or any net profit from self-employment), neither of you is eligible to contribute to an IRA.