Choosing to stay home to raise children, care for aging parents, or support a partner’s career can come with a hidden financial cost. While one spouse’s paycheck keeps the household running, the nonworking partner may quietly fall behind on retirement savings. That gap is often called the “stay-at-home penalty,” and it can create long-term financial vulnerability after divorce, disability, or widowhood. A Spousal IRA offers one practical way to protect your future, but many couples never discuss it until years of missed savings have passed.
