Spousal IRS vs. Other IRAsA spousal IRA isn’t a separate account type. A spousal IRA can be either a traditional IRA or a Roth IRA, giving nonworking spouses access to the same tax advantages and benefits of all IRAs:With a traditional IRA, contributions are made with pre-tax dollars and grow tax-deferred until you withdraw them. Spousal IRA Rules and RegulationsSpousal IRAs follow standard rules for traditional and Roth IRAs. Is a spousal IRA different from a regular IRA? The account type is the same as a regular IRA, but the spousal IRA allows nonworking spouses to access the benefits of an IRA.