Financial Answer Center
If your spouse is not working, you can establish a spousal IRA. You and your spouse can make IRA contributions of up to $5,500 and $6,500 if age 50 by December 31, 2016 each in 2016, providing your tax filing status is married/filing jointly and your combined earnings are at least equal to the contributed amount.
As a result, a couple can contribute a total of $12,000 in 2016, (same in 2015) if at least one of you is age 50 by December 31, 2016, and $13,000 if both of you are eligible for the catch-up provision.