Do I qualify for a deductible IRA in 2010?

When you say you "earn" 28k a year, is that from a salary or self- employment income? If yes, you do qualify to put $6000 into an IRA, and deduct it against your income. You might qualify for the retirement savings credit on form 8880 -- but if you're single, likely not from the numbers you've given.

Yes, you can. You are probably in the 25% tax bracket, so you get a decent tax break. And you can continue to put the maximum amount into your traditional IRA until you are 70 1/2, if you continue earning wages or self-employment income of at least $6,000 a year. After that, you can put funds into a Roth IRA.

Thanks to you both. Yes, my income is a salary. My husband died last year. We'd always been in the 15% bracket but now that I'm single I'm in the 25% bracket and would like to knock it down a bit. I have life insurance money that I can use.

Thanks again.

Sorry about your loss.

Please note that the IRS has a filing status called qualifying widower, which you can use for the two years after spouse died (in the year of death you do a MFJ return) if long you had a dependent living with you; see

see