Can I contribute to an IRA if I am retired with a pension of $33,000?

[uscc72]

Can I contribute to an IRA if I am retired with a pension of $33,000 and no earned income?

[DoninGA · Accepted solution]

No, you cannot contribute to an IRA if you have no earned income (taxable compensation)

See this IRS website for IRA contributions - https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/plan-participant-employee/retirement-topics-ira-contribution-li...

[hansonruss49]

The responses I've seen appear to be outdated (2019) by saying a retiree or nonworking spouse can't contribute to an IRA.  What I've read recently is that a spouse with no earned income CAN contribute to an IRA as long as they file jointly and one spouse has earned income.

[Opus 17]

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@hansonruss49 wrote:

The responses I've seen appear to be outdated (2019) by saying a retiree or nonworking spouse can't contribute to an IRA.  What I've read recently is that a spouse with no earned income CAN contribute to an IRA as long as they file jointly and one spouse has earned income.

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Every question depends on its own facts and circumstances.  The post you are replying to did not involve a working and non-working spouse.

You are correct that in general, a non-working spouse may contribute to a spousal IRA based on the earnings of their working spouse (subject to income limits and other things).  But at least one spouse on that MFJ tax return must have "compensation" as defined by the IRS, which is income earned from providing goods or services (plus a couple of special case exceptions).