Can my working wife open a separate HSA? Would it only be used for her medical expenses? We are over 55,employed, MFJ with a family HSA and a family HDHP via my employer.

[Basement-Mechanic]

She is working but has health insurance through my HDHP at my work. 

[ghost · Accepted solution]

Yes. Since your spouse is covered under family HDHP medical insurance, your spouse may contribute to your own HSA (provided they DO NOT have Medicare or other insurance coverage).

The basic family HDHP limit for 2016 is $6750. This amount can be split between the HSAs of each spouse (anyway you choose).

If either spouse in age 55+ or older, they can contribute an additional $1000 to THEIR own account.

A spouse DOES NOT have to be working to make HSA contributions to their account.
The money in HSA accounts can be used to pay the medical expenses of the owner (of the account) and their spouse and any dependents.

[Basement-Mechanic]

If we open her own account do we have until April 18th, 2017 to fund it?

[ghost]

Yes. Be specific that you are funding TAX YEAR 2016. The HSA deposit form will (or should) have a place to indicate this.