Can My Spouse Fund My Roth?

Summary

Podcast Summary: Suze Orman’s Women & Money (And Everyone Smart Enough to Listen)

Episode: Can My Spouse Fund My Roth?
Date: January 15, 2026
Hosts: Suze Orman, KT Travis

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Episode Overview

In this engaging "Ask KT and Suze Anything" episode, Suze Orman and KT answer listener questions ranging from spousal Roth IRA contributions, the ins-and-outs of Roth rules, executor responsibilities, Social Security for divorced spouses, and practical tips for making the most of your retirement accounts. The episode shines through its approachable tone, insightful deep-dives, and Suze’s signature mix of candor and encouragement, making complex financial topics accessible for all.

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Key Discussion Points

1. Personal Updates and Listener Engagement

• [02:00-04:40] Road Trip & Product Recommendation
  • Suze and KT banter about their recent road trip to Amelia Island, describing a visit with friends and their obsession with Sicilian lemon white balsamic vinegar from Olive Amelia.
  • For the first time on the show, Suze actively recommends a product, ensuring listeners it’s not a paid placement.
  • Memorable moment: “I think this is the first time in the history of the Suze Orman show ... I’ve ever asked someone to buy something.” (Suze, 04:58)

2. Listener Letters and Q&A

a. Executor Duties and Estate Planning

• [06:44-09:18]: Andrea’s Question
  • Being an executor of multiple wills is a “big, big job,” especially if assets aren’t in a trust.
  • Suze advises considering a living revocable trust to avoid probate and suggests using musthavedocs.com for comprehensive legal documents.
  • Notable advice: “$99 will save you thousands of dollars in probate fees, maybe one or two years in settling the estate.” (Suze, 08:27)
  • Resource: Must Have Docs package allows sharing among family for one fee.

b. Roth IRA Flexibility & Rules

• [10:31-12:13]: Angel’s Roth Buying/Selling Concern
  • Clarification: “There are no rules when it comes to buying and selling within your Roth.” (KT, 10:56)
  • Suze reiterates the importance of Roth vehicles: “...the reason I want you all to have Roth IRAs, Roth 401ks, Roth… is there are no taxes when you buy or sell following a few simple rules...” (Suze, 11:03)
  • She references her podcast “Don’t Be Partners with Uncle Sam” (April 21, 2024) for more on Roth value.

c. Social Security after Divorce (Multiple Spouses)

• [12:13-16:15]: Sharon’s Dual Divorce Dilemma
  • Suze clarifies requirements: age 62+, married 10+ years, divorced 2+ years.
  • Sharon can claim on ex-spouse 1 if eligible, regardless of time since divorce from recent ex.
  • Possible to switch to ex-spouse 2’s benefit after qualifying period if it’s higher.
  • Suze: “You get the higher of them if, in fact, you've met the qualification.” (15:49)
  • Inclusivity Note: Suze emphasizes the importance of legal marriage for LGBTQ+ couples to access benefits. (16:30-17:17)

d. Tagging Roth Contributions to Tax Years

• [17:20-18:40]: Deborah’s Roth Contribution Timing
  • Clarification on designating contributions to specific tax years when funding Roth IRAs, especially if making both current and prior year contributions on the same day. Be explicit with custodians about which year each deposit is for.

e. Long-Term Roth 401k Planning with International Retirement

• [18:52-21:19]: Belle’s International Retirement Q
  • Suze assures Roth 401k withdrawals remain tax-free after 59½ regardless of country of residence, addressing Belle’s concern about retiring in Korea.
  • Encourages maximizing Roth 401k, 415C (for mega backdoor contributions), and listening to a recent episode for optimizing after-tax contributions.
  • Memorable encouragement: “That is why I want you to do a Roth. A Roth is tax free when you withdraw the money … it doesn’t matter where you go, where you live, anything.” (Suze, 20:01)

f. Employer Plan Non-Discrimination Rules

• [22:13-24:00]: Mary’s Mega Backdoor Roth Hurdle
  • Explanation of why some employers limit after-tax contributions due to compliance with non-discrimination testing, which ensures fairness between high and low wage employees.
  • Suze: “Yes, it’s reasonable. ...It may provide discrimination against the lower paid employees.” (23:36)

g. Spousal IRA Contributions While Not Working

• [24:31-26:09]: Nancy’s “Can My Spouse Fund My Roth?”
  • KT assumes only personal earned income qualifies; Suze corrects her, emphasizing the concept of spousal IRAs.
  • Suze: “There’s something known as a non-working spousal retirement account… your spouse can fund it not only for themselves, but for the spouse as well.” (25:21)
  • Both spouses’ contributions can be made from the working spouse’s income as long as the household’s earned income covers both.

h. Inherited Roth 401k for Non-Spousal Beneficiaries

• [26:19-29:16]: Lynn’s Inheritance Query
  • Roth 401k inherited by non-spousal beneficiaries must be emptied within 10 years; the key difference is withdrawals are tax-free (if 5-year rule is met).
  • For maximum advantage, let funds grow and withdraw in the 10th year.
  • Suze: “They have 10 years to wipe it clean and it will be 100% tax free to them.” (Suze, 29:01)
  • KT: “You can take any amount in any year as long as it’s wiped clean within 10 years.” (29:15)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the emotional side of money:
  “If you don’t have control over who you are, it doesn’t matter what I tell you to buy, you will buy at the wrong time and sell at the wrong time.” — Suze (06:01)

• First Time Endorsing a Product:
  “I think this is the first time in the history of the Susie Orman show ... I’ve ever asked someone to buy something.” — Suze (04:58)

• Roth Powerhouse:
  “Roth, Roth, Roth, Roth—everything! ...There are no taxes when you buy or sell following a few simple rules…” — Suze (11:04)

• Spousal IRA Revelation:
  “There’s something known as a non-working spousal retirement account… your spouse can fund it not only for themselves, but for the spouse as well.” — Suze (25:21)

• Inclusive Financial Planning:
  “...that is why it’s so seriously important for gay couples…to be able to be legally married...” — Suze (16:30)

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Important Timestamps & Segments

• [02:01-04:43] — Personal anecdotes & Suze’s rare product recommendation
• [06:44-09:18] — Executor responsibilities explained
• [10:31-12:13] — Roth account trade flexibility and why Suze loves Roths
• [12:13-16:15] — Social Security for multiple ex-spouses
• [17:20-18:40] — Roth contributions and IRS reporting
• [18:52-21:19] — Roth 401k and international retirement
• [22:13-24:00] — Employer plan discrimination testing
• [24:31-26:09] — Can a working spouse fund a Roth for a non-working spouse?
• [26:19-29:16] — Inheriting a Roth 401k: 10-year rule for non-spousal beneficiaries

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Episode Takeaways

• Roth IRAs and Roth 401ks offer unparalleled tax-free growth and withdrawal, even internationally.
• Spousal IRAs permit contributions for non-working spouses using the working spouse’s earned income.
• Executor roles can be overwhelming—utilize trusts and proper documentation to ease the process.
• Social Security divorce benefits have strict qualification rules, but can be maximized with planning.
• Inherited Roth IRAs/401ks go to beneficiaries tax-free if the 5-year rule is met, but must be emptied in 10 years.
• Always explicitly designate IRA contributions for the correct tax year.
• Employer plan rules are complex & meant to ensure fairness for all wage levels.

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Tone, Style & Closing

The episode balances vibrant, personal storytelling with precise, actionable advice. Suze’s passion for empowering listeners—especially women—shines at each turn. The rapport with KT keeps the show light and relatable even as the financial mechanics get intricate.

Closing Reminder:
“There’s only one thing we want you to remember, everybody, and it’s this: people first, then money, then things. Now you stay safe.” — Suze (30:50)

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This summary captures all substantial content from the episode (ads, intros, outros omitted) and provides a useful guide for those who wish to absorb the main messages without listening in full.

Transcript

[A]

Hi, everybody. Suzio here. Now, what is the goal of money? The goal of money is for you to be secure. And there is no better way for you to be secure than having an emergency savings account. It is essential for your financial foundation. So all of you should be participating in the Ultimate Opportunity savings account at Alliant Credit Union. Go to myalliant.com to find out more. And be secure.

[B]

Good morning, susie.

[A]

Good morning, Ms. Travis. How are you today?

[B]

I feel pretty good. Little. Little rainy and cold here in South Florida.

[A]

I know, right?

[B]

The weather's really strange.

[A]

So strange.

[B]

Very strange.

[A]

Strange. But what is the date today?

[B]

January 15, 2026.

[A]

And welcome, everybody, to the Women and Money Pod. Well, is everybody smart enough to listen? Listen to my voice.

[B]

Yeah, sounds good.

[A]

Is it low? Low, low? How low can it go? And today is Ask KT and Susie anything. And if you have a question that you would like us to answer on the podcast, please write into asksusie s u z e podcastmail.com and if KT chooses, will be answered on the podcast. Keep it short. There are thousands. How many did you see?

[B]

Oh, my God, you had 2,000, 6,000 the next day.

[A]

Right. So a lot comes in. That doesn't mean that you shouldn't try because obviously some are chosen. And again, many of you know, I do peruse these, and if I see one that catches my eye, I will answer you directly. So tell everybody what we did.

[B]

We had the best weekend last weekend.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

So Susie and I went on a road trip.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And it was our first road trip of 2026. And we drove to.

[A]

Well, Katie, let's be honest. It was our first road trip in 14.

[B]

14 years since we moved from the Bahamas back to. Back to where there's roads. We drove five and a half hours to Amelia island. And it was sp. Spectacular. It was really fun.

[A]

And so wait, we went there because our two really good friends, Lisa and Jill. Lisa and Jill.

[B]

Oprah friends.

[A]

Oprah friends. So Lisa Halliday was the PR force behind the Oprah Winfrey show for God knows how many years.

[C]

Forever.

[A]

And Jill Adams and still does so. But was the one behind Oprah's Book Club for all those years picking and helping Oprah pick all. All of those books. And we just love these girls more than you have any idea. And so they happened to be in Amelia island with Lisa's parents, and we decided, let's go have dinner with them.

[B]

We also had another reason to go to Amelia Island.

[A]

Yeah, I did tell everybody why.

[B]

We love you, Lisa. And Jill. But we were really excited to go to Olive Amelia. Olive Amelia is a little shop down in the village, like the main street of Amelia Island. Very quaint Victorian village and all of Amelia. The shop sells olive oil and vinegars, and Susie and I are hooked on Sicilian lemon white balsamic vinegar.

[A]

That just comes from this one store.

[B]

We've been importing it. Well, we've been asking her to send it to us.

[A]

No, we haven't asked her to send it.

[B]

We buy it.

[A]

We've been buying it now for like, two.

[B]

Or in the Bahamas. We get this sent to us because it's so delicious. We love it. We put it on salad, fish, we put it on everything.

[A]

So we went in to finally say, hi, Laura, the woman who owns it, look, it's us in person. And there you go.

[B]

She couldn't believe it. She posted a little movie. I think it's on her site. Right.

[A]

You know what? I didn't look.

[B]

We have to look.

[A]

But I did a video telling everybody. This is not a paid announcement, by the way. Right? Everybody, you gotta try this. So I'm just going to say to all of you, if you want to try something incredible, I'm telling you, incredible, just do a little one. They have a very little tiny bottle, like it's $7, 7 or $8. Try it. What's it called again?

[B]

It's Sicilian lemon white balsamic vinegar.

[A]

I promise you, if you try it. Oh, I said, you know, we're gonna get them hooked on spending money, I think. Wanna know something, kt? I think this is the first time in the history of the Susie Orman show, the podcast, anything I've ever done.

[B]

Where you asked someone to buy something.

[A]

But I promise you, if. I promise you. Oh, my God. Anyway, all right, go on.

[B]

All right, let's get this show started. So I have a first question. That's not even a question. It's a statement from David. And David said, susie, I've been listening to you for 25 years.

[A]

Makes me feel old.

[B]

David, the Sunday podcast passed. This past Sunday was your best ever. The greatest free advice out here. Welcome to Florida. My family was from Evergreen Park. Thank you for what you do, and God bless you. That's from David.

[A]

You know what I find funny about that, Katie?

[B]

What's that?

[A]

Is that David, a man finds. Last Sunday's podcast, which was all about the market and what I thought, the best ever. But that wasn't the best ever, in my opinion, because that was about money, just straight money. And it seems like men care More about when they write in. Can you talk about money? Can you talk about what stocks? Can you do this? I really think the best podcasts I've ever done on the Women and Money podcast are the ones that talk about emotions and the qualities of people and fear and shame and anger. And those things, those are the ones I love the most. Because I have to tell you, if you don't have control over who you are, it doesn't matter what I tell you to buy, you will buy at the wrong time and sell at the wrong time. Just saying. But David, thank you so much for thinking that. There you go, David.

[B]

That was the best ever for David. Susie.

[A]

Well, actually, KT thought it was fabulous.

[B]

All right, so ready? Andrea wrote. Hi, Susie. I've been named the executor of three family members, individual wills. Boy, they must all like Andrea. Is there information on this app on what executors need to do once the family member passes away? So thank you in advance and thank you for sharing your knowledge and wisdom.

[A]

Andrea, I want you to listen to me closely. Being an executor of a will, especially a will if they have real estate in their names and all kinds of accounts in their names, and it's not in a trust, it is a big, big job. It's a big job because you are the one who's going to have to work with an attorney most likely to go through probate, pay the probate fees, make sure that everything is transferred the way that it should be. It is, is a job. And what you really should do. Because to tell you everything that an executor does would take up this whole podcast. So maybe you go on ChatGPT or you go somewhere and they'll list everything for you as to what an executor does. But if you have accepted this, you might also want to say to them, you know what, if they own a house, if they have certain things that really would have to go through probate, I'm here to tell you, you should talk to them about getting a living, revocable trust where you would become the successor trustee if anything were to happen to them. And what you would do is go to musthavedocs.com and there you could get the must have docs, which happened to be a will, a living, revocable trust, an advanced directive and durable power of attorney for health care as well as one for finances. You just have to get one and share it among the three of Remember, there is shareware there where if you buy it, you have the permission to share it with your family members. $99 will save you thousands of dollars in probate fees, maybe one or two years in settling the estate, making sure that it is not that hard on you. And it tells you everything you need to do in there, just so you need to know. But as an executor, if all they have is a will, it's going to be a big deal, most likely for you. All right, go on.

[B]

So my next question, and Susie and I just told you all that we get thousands of questions, so selecting them. There's a little secret that I have in the subject area on this question. It says Frothy Rothy question.

[A]

Well, tell everybody.

[B]

A Frothy Rothy was a podcast we did last summer about the drink that I make that we drink. Well, in the summer, we have a different drink than in the winter, but Frothy Rothy. You're have to go back and listen to that drink and its recipe.

[A]

But that's. That's not what I was going to ask you.

[B]

Oh, what were you going to ask?

[A]

See, she always thinks she knows what I'm going to say.

[B]

Okay, what were you going to say?

[A]

I want you to tell everybody for 2026, what is your new view on Roths and all of that?

[B]

Oh, I'm going to study that thing and know it. Inside out, upside down, back door, front door, side door, you name it.

[A]

And what word are you never going to use again? That.

[B]

It's too complicated.

[A]

You're never going to say that again, right?

[B]

No, it isn't.

[A]

And you're never going to think it again, right?

[B]

Never.

[A]

There you go. All right, Go on. All right.

[B]

She wrote, angel wrote, hello, most fabulous ladies. I think I remember you saying that we can buy and sell as much as we want in our Roth ira and it has no bearing on any other accounts.

[A]

Correct.

[B]

And then she said, I worry there could be some buying or selling rules in the Roth with timelines that I don't know about.

[A]

So how would you answer that?

[B]

Kt, I think that you're absolutely right. There are no rules when it comes to buying and selling within your Roth.

[A]

Yeah. Listen, everybody, the reason that I want you all to have Roth IRAs, Roth 401ks, Roth 403s, Roth TSPS, Roth SEP, IRAs, Roth ROTH, Roth, Roth. Everything is there are no taxes when you buy or sell following a few simple rules, meaning that the Roth has been open for at least five years and you're 59 and a half years of age when you withdraw any amount of money, it is absolutely tax free. You die. Pass it down to your beneficiaries and they take it out absolutely tax free. So I think if you don't understand them My favorite podcast that I have ever done as to why I want you to have a Roth, regardless of how much income you have, is Don't Be Partners with Uncle Sam. April 21, 2024 Listen to that podcast over and over again and if you still decide that you don't want to do a Roth, I don't know what to tell you. I just don't. All right, go on.

[B]

The next question is from Sharon. Susie. She said. Hi Susie. Regarding the divorced two year requirement to file a claim on your ex spouse. If I've been married twice, you know, she's, she's wondering like what to do. She said both lasted 10 years and divorced twice. Am I, am I able to collect divorce spouse benefits from ex spouse 1 if I've been divorced from ex spouse 1 for more than 2 years? Even if I this makes me laugh about 1 and 2. Even if I have only been single for 1 year after divorcing ex spouse 2? So that's what she's asking. Are there requirements to file a claim?

[A]

So first of all, everybody, there's spousal requirements and then there's survivor requirements, which means your spouse has died. So she's asking about spousal requirements.

[B]

Right.

[A]

To collect on your ex spouse's Social Security, you have to be 62 years of age or older. That's number one. Number two, you have to have been married for 10 years, divorced for two years, which she may be, I don't know, she doesn't say her age. But let's say she's 62 or older, she meets the qualification for getting ex spouses. Number ones, Social Security, some of it. All right. However, ex spouse number two, even though she's only been divorced one year, doesn't disqualify her from claiming on spouse one. So the answer to the question is, oh, you can claim as long as you're 62 years of age or older and you have not remarried. Yes, you can claim on spouse one.

[B]

Ex spouse one. So I have a question. What if ex spouse two.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

Has greater benefits than one, can you.

[A]

Switch after she has been divorced from ex spouse 2 for 2 years? If she wants, she can switch if it's higher then ex spouse 1. Believe it or not, as long as she's 62 years of age or older and she has not remarried. Very different KT than if the Ex spouse even had died, then she could go from spousal benefits to survivor benefits and then claim survivor benefits even if she gets remarried at 60 or older.

[B]

And you can keep that even if you're remarried. You can keep survivor benefits from your.

[A]

Yes, the ex spouse once she's been divorced. If the divorced spouse dies now, she has the ability to switch to survivor benefits, let's say. But if she was full retirement age, she could then get full retirement benefits from her ex spouse. But now their ex survivor benefits.

[B]

Amazing.

[A]

Amazing. And for the spousal benefits, just so you know, they don't have to have claimed yet for her to get those. Huh? Huh? What was that?

[B]

Huh? Well, that's like. That's interesting. I mean, who knew?

[A]

I did.

[B]

I didn't know that. A lot of people listening that are divorced didn't know that.

[A]

How? Everybody.

[B]

That's like a.

[A]

Listen to me. You would only get the higher of your own benefit or your ex spouse number one in this case benefit, or your ex spouse number two benefit. You get the higher of them if, in fact, you've met the qualification. So she just has to wait another year and she could switch to ex spouse 2 if it's higher for the spousal benefit. Go on.

[B]

All right. Keep track of those benefits, everybody.

[A]

But you got to be married 10 years.

[B]

All right, this is from Deborah. She said, hi, Susie and kt, thank you both for providing such important education for the women of America.

[A]

But wait, I want to go back for a second. Which is why it's so seriously important for gay couples, honest to God, to be able to be legally married.

[B]

Oh, yeah, we forget about that.

[A]

Right. Because the spousal benefits and the divorce benefits, all of those really, really matter. So hopefully that benefit will never, ever go away. And if you're out there and you have not yet taken advantage of being married and you've been living together, you love one another, and you keep saying to yourself, oh, what difference does it make if I get married or not?

[B]

Makes a difference.

[A]

It makes a difference. Big, big difference, everybody. So don't take it for granted. All right, go on.

[B]

Yeah. You're depriving yourself of benefits, of possible.

[A]

Potential benefits in many, many ways. Go on.

[B]

All right, next is from Deborah. Thank you both for providing such important education for the women of America as well. Of course, for those smart enough to listen, you mentioned in the first Susi school of the year that the roth contributions for 2025 tax calculations can be made as late as April 15, 2026. Correct? Right. If I want to contribute before April 15 for my 2026 tax calculations? Do I need to do anything special to tag these contributions to alert the irs or will it all just come out in the wash over time?

[A]

No, because really, if you haven't made your contribution for 2025 yet and you want to, and you want to make a 2026 contribution as well, the same day, January 1st of this year, let's say you wanted to do both the same day. You have to tag what year it is for. And it doesn't all come out in the wash because again, you have to meet the five year rule. And if this is your first time opening up a Roth ira, you have to let them know. So you just, when you open it up, you let them know it's. They ask you and you just tell them.

[B]

All right, this next question is from Bell. I love this Qu. I love Bell.

[A]

I like the name Ding Dong Bell.

[B]

Hi, Susie.

[A]

I didn't mean that Ding Dong. I didn't mean that Bell. I just. Don't even ask me what I was thinking. Go on.

[B]

Hi, Susan. KT Happy New Year. She's still saying Happy New Year and it's only January 15th. I agree with that. Thank you for answering my question.

[A]

On October 30th, that's David's birthday. Happy birthday, David. We love you, David.

[B]

I hope we see you soon. Happy birthday. Happy birthday.

[A]

Happy birthday.

[B]

All right, per your advice, Susie, I left my financial advisor and now manage my finances independently. I'm 24 years old. I make $100,000 a year in New York. I maxed out my Roth 401K, 24 and 25, and I'm planning to do so in 26. However, I'm a US citizen with my entire family in Korea. I realize there's a strong chance I might retire in Korea. Given this, should I continue maxing out my Roth 401k? Can these funds be used or transferred internationally or are they effectively limited to the US thank you as always, Belle.

[A]

Here, let me ring the bell in for you on this one since it's still New Year in your email, which is that is why I want you to do a Roth. A Roth is tax free when you withdraw the money, meeting certain qualifications. Obviously, as I said a few minutes ago, it doesn't matter where you go, where you live, anything. They will be 100% tax free after the age of 59 and a half. So you best continue. Now, given that you are maxing out your Roth 401ks and you plan to keep doing it make sure you listen to last Sunday's podcast which was all about the 415C making a draw additional after tax contributions. And then if your plan allows it to do an in plan conversion to your Roth, that means you could essentially be doing a mega backdoor. Roth is what they're called at your employers if they allow it. And can you even imagine what that would mean to you when you retire? Kt, what do you look so excited? What do you want to say?

[B]

I think it would be great to retire in Korea. Seoul is a great beautiful city.

[A]

Tell everybody where we're finally going in.

[B]

We are finally going to Japan. I love that country and I haven't been in a while and I've been many times but not in a while. And Susie's never ever tell everybody who.

[A]

We'Re meeting for the first time personally.

[B]

Keith, Keith, Keith and his beautiful wife who's from Kyoto.

[A]

Right. And so we're going to meet them. I know all of you think, oh Keith, Susie, everybody, we're good friends. We talk all the time on FaceTime. But remember we're all the way here in Florida, coast to coast, coast to coast and he's all the way in Washington and we're going to finally meet them in Japan. All right everybody. So excited, very excited.

[B]

All right, next is from Mary. She said I asked my employer about allowing post tax contributions up to to the 415C limit. Their response was the last time they reviewed it they did not think they would pass the non discrimination testing. Can you explain that response and is it reasonable?

[A]

It is reasonable KT and the reason is this. All corporations have to meet certain qualifications which really to put it simply without me getting complicated, which is means that your highly compensated employees known as hces, believe it or not, do not have more of an advantage than your non highly compensated employees known as your nhces. And therefore if your lower wage employees are not fully contributing to the employer plan, the 401k or the 403, then the highly compensated employees cannot put in more than what everybody is allowed to put in. So that would be whatever the maximum happens to be. But above that they won't allow after tax contributions. Yes, it's reasonable. So that it's possible that when you go to speak to your employer if they allow after tax contributions they may say say no because it may provide discrimination against the lower paid employees. Believe it or not, that's a simple explanation of it. But that is the rule. All right.

[B]

Okay Susie, next question. Should this be your quizzy no quizzes in 2026.

[A]

Everybody loves when you do a quizzy.

[B]

No more quizzes.

[A]

And why is that?

[B]

Because I'm busy studying Roth. So no quizzes. I'm busy studying my world.

[A]

You're just a chick. You are afraid to be wrong. Admit it to everybody.

[B]

Yeah, I'm afraid. I don't like to be wrong. It's. I'm not afraid. I don't like it when I'm wrong.

[A]

That's why we do the quizzes.

[B]

No more quizzes, everybody.

[A]

I'm going to give her a quizzy whether she knows it or not.

[B]

So from Nancy said, I am 59 years old and had to stop working to be a caretaker for my elderly mother. So I did not have any W2 income in 2025. My husband has a 401k at his job, but he does not have a Roth. Can he fund my Roth IRA while I'm unemployed?

[A]

Pop quizzy.

[B]

No.

[A]

Seriously?

[B]

Yeah. He can't fund it.

[A]

Are you positive?

[B]

Yeah. Oh, come on. Don't. Don't do that to me. I thought. But all retirement accounts, especially the Roth, have to be funded with earned income.

[A]

All right. Ready to learn something new?

[B]

It's her husband's earned income.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And it's allowed.

[A]

So let me.

[B]

Okay, so you have to fund all mine.

[A]

Kt. Anyway, here's the thing. There's something known as a non working spousal retirement account. And your spouse cannot only fund their own 401k or a Roth 401k if they have one, their own Roth IRA. And if they make too much money, their own Roth backdoor Roth ira. If they don't have a traditional IRA and they can fund the non working spouse's retirement account. Now, officially, it's not named a non working spousal. And yes, your spouse can fund it not only for themselves, but for the spouse as well.

[B]

Susie, my final question is from Lynn, and it's a Roth question I'm learning about. But don't ask me to answer it. Don't ask me to answer it.

[A]

But I know why you chose it.

[B]

Because of Lynn.

[A]

Yeah. All right.

[B]

My sister. My twin sister's name. Hi, Susie and KT. I'm 65 years old and still working because I love my job. Good. I love my job, too.

[A]

You don't have a job. Gone.

[B]

I'm contributing to a Roth 401k so I can leave it to my children one day. Unfortunately, most of my retirement savings are in traditional IRAs and 401ks. My goal is to continue contributing to the company Roth 401K and Roth 457B to the max until I scale back when I turn 70 or so. What are the rules about inheriting Roth 401k to non spousal beneficiaries? I find it hard to get a clear answer, as the sites always say they have to take it in 10 years and it may affect their tax bracket. Is this true for Roth 401k inheritances?

[A]

So here's a scoop. Yes, it's true partially. Whether it is a Roth KT or a traditional retirement account, whether it's an IRA doesn't matter. If it's not left to a spouse or an eligible designated beneficiary, which I've explained many times. But normally if it's a child to the kids and they're more than 10 years older or younger than you, which I'm sure they are, or they for the beneficiary. All right. They have to wipe the account clean within 10 years. The difference between a traditional retirement account, they should start wiping it clean yearly because Otherwise in the 10th year they're going to have to wipe it all out. And if they've never touched it, it could be a serious tax hit for them because it will be taxed to them as ordinary income in a Roth. However, I wouldn't touch it if I didn't have to and let it grow for all those 10 years and in the 10th year then wipe it clean. But it's now tax free to them. Just that simple. Whoever said that it's going to be taxable, they're just saying that because they want to be careful. Did you meet the five year rule? Did you? Not yet. Whether It's a Roth 401K or a Roth IRA, it still has to meet the five year rule. However you die, it's met the five year rule. They have 10 years to wipe it clean and it will be 100% tax free to them. All right, what do you want to.

[B]

Say when you have that 10 years? You can take any amount in any year as long as it's wiped clean within 10 years.

[A]

That's right.

[B]

All right.

[A]

Ding, ding, ding, ding, ding, ding, ding.

[B]

I got that.

[A]

Ding, ding, ding.

[B]

I'm learning, I'm learning. You're never too late to learn, everybody.

[A]

So what are we going to do today?

[B]

Today is our. I'm excited. We have an appointment this afternoon.

[A]

With who?

[B]

With our web developers. We have a new website being launched as any moment and I have to make approvals on everything. I'm excited. It Works great on your phone. It's simple, it's easy to get updated information and we've been developing this now for quite a long time now, when.

[A]

She says we the team, not me.

[B]

No, I do that.

[A]

That's my job, right? For some reason, everybody, I just, I don't take an interest in graphics and da da, that's KT's forte. So I stay out of it, right? And so until Sunday, what are you.

[B]

Going to do Sunday? What are you going to talk about?

[A]

I may talk about the market again, but what a K market is a U shaped market, a V shaped. I'm going to talk to them, I think about the Alphabet letters of the stock market. What do you think of that?

[B]

Like the I's?

[A]

No, the K's.

[B]

The K's, the K's. What about the kts?

[A]

Kt's always in the market, if you ask me.

[B]

Anyway, everybody, have a great, great, great week ahead. See you Sunday. There's only one thing we want you to remember, everybody, and it's this people.

[A]

First, then money, then things. Now you stay safe. Bye bye everybody. We are strong, we are wise we will not apologize we are here, we will thrive Together we will rise we're.

[B]

The faith and everything it takes we are strong, we are wise Together we will rise.

[A]

Hi everybody. Suzy O here and I have to tell all of you, there is one benefit that I know all of you need and your corporations need to offer. And it comes from a company that I helped co found over 5 years ago by the name of Secure Save. So whether you're an employee or an employer, I want you to go to securesave.com susie s u z e and take a look. Look at what I have for you there. I promise you you're gonna like it.

[C]

All right, now neither Suze Orman Media nor Suze Orman is acting as a certified Financial Planner Advisor, a certified financial analyst, an economist, cpa, accountant or lawyer. Neither Suze Orman Media nor Suze Orman make any recommendations as to any specific securities or investments. All content contained in this podcast is for informational and general purpose purposes only and does not constitute financial accounting or legal advice. You should consult your own tax, legal and financial advisors regarding your particular situation. Neither Suze Orman Media nor Suze Orman accepts any responsibility for any losses which may arise from accessing or reliance on information in this podcast and to the fullest extent permitted by law, we exclude all liability for loss, damages, direct or indirect, arising from the use of this information. The must have documents discussed in this podcast are legal documents created by a lawyer and distributed by Hay House. Thanks for listening.