A Social Security Journey with “Ask Rusty” and the AMAC Foundation - AMAC Foundation
The AMAC Foundation[1] is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the support and education of American seniors. “Ask Rusty” is the Foundation’s popular and nationally syndicated Social Security advice column. Here’s more about the AMAC Foundation’s journey and the “Ask Rusty” series of Social Security articles.
The Beginning of “Ask Rusty”
For background, the first “Ask Rusty” column was published during the first days of February 2017, titled “How is my Social Security Benefit Calculated?” The origin of the Ask Rusty column was an idea by AMAC’s late founder (Dan Weber) to share with the general public the knowledge of the AMAC Foundation’s newly formed Social Security Advisory team. It wasn’t long after that first article was published that “Ask Rusty” articles became a popular weekly feature offering expert information on the complex topic of Social Security. The AMAC Foundation’s “Ask Rusty” articles are provided free to over 5,000 national print and electronic media for their use as desired. Popularity and readership of the Ask Rusty column quickly grew to provide Social Security (and Medicare enrollment) advice and information to millions of readers nationwide via many hundreds of media outlets each week, in both online and print form. Indeed, some of our “Ask Rusty” articles are published internationally by news outlets dedicated to the American expatriate community.
Educating the Public about Social Security
Over the years, “Ask Rusty” articles have addressed a plethora of Social Security topics, including how retirement and spousal benefits are determined and when to claim them; information about minor child benefits and about disabled adult-child benefits; information about Medicare enrollment; and about Social Security disability benefits for working Americans. Information about providing earned U.S. benefits to those living overseas; benefits for incarcerated individuals; about younger spouses caring for minor children; benefits for divorced spouses; survivor benefits; how to increase one’s SS benefit; and about penalties for working while collecting early benefits have all been covered in our “Ask Rusty” series of Social Security articles. And that is just a sample of the topics covered in the AMAC Foundation’s “Ask Rusty” publications.
Social Security is Complicated
The fact is that Social Security is a highly complex topic potentially affecting about 180 million Americans, including workers and their dependents, all of whom have unique personal circumstances which may influence their current or future Social Security benefits. Social Security rules number well over 2,200, all of which are described in about 110,000 online pages at the Social Security Administration’s internet website. Navigating that complex labyrinth of regulations is usually a confusing and tedious adventure, made much less complex by the AMAC Foundation’s Social Security Advisory Service and our “Ask Rusty” articles.
Finding out more about Social Security
The AMAC Foundation’s Social Security information website, which can be found at www.SocialSecurityReport.org, includes a Q&A section which provides a searchable archive of most past “Ask Rusty” articles for your reading pleasure. This is a good place to look for easy-to-understand guidance on a specific Social Security issue or to find an answer to a specific Social Security or Medicare question(s).
In the AMAC Foundation’s Social Security journey, Ask Rusty articles were also made available in online “podcast” format, providing the ability to listen to (vs. read) a reader’s question followed by Rusty’s explanation of how Social Security works in the questioner’s specific circumstances. These podcasts can be found at the Foundation’s main website, www.amacfoundation.org, in the “Podcasts” section.
Significant “Ask Rusty” Milestone Coming Soon
So why are we offering this information now? Well, early next month (August 2026), the AMAC Foundation will publish its 500th Ask Rusty article, titled “I Worked for my Ex-husband but Wasn’t Paid and now have little Social Security; What are my options?” In this article,Rusty explains an important issue often encountered by self-employed individuals.
Publishing our 500th “Ask Rusty” article is an important milestone for us and is testimony to the consistency and longevity of the AMAC Foundation’s commitment to “support and educate American seniors.” That is the AMAC Foundation’s motto, which we fulfill every day. Fulfilling that motto occurs not only with our on-going “Ask Rusty” series of Social Security articles but also includes regular educational webinars and seminars on various issues affecting America’s seniors, including Social Security. The AMAC Foundation also provides ongoing support services for seniors by fielding daily Social Security questions through our national call center, which is available weekdays during normal EDT business hours at 1.888.750.2622. And Social Security questions are also fielded via email daily, even on weekends and evening hours, by emailing us at SSadvisor@amacfoundation.org. All inquiries are responded to promptly by certified expert Social Security Advisors, without cost or obligation.
Our Outstanding Customer Satisfaction Record
The AMAC Foundation’s Social Security Advisory Service and our regular “Ask Rusty” articles enjoy an outstanding customer rating of over 95% satisfied, and those we serve often share comments like these:
- “I have read just about every article that Rusty has written and find them to be fascinating. The ins and outs of Social Security are way too much for me to understand on my own.”
- “This is the best answer, the clearest and most direct explanation we have ever experienced, either from google, SSA website, or calls to SSA. This (service) is truly awesome.”
- “Thank you! This is a pretty darn important fact that no one else seems to know. Of all the benefits of my AMAC membership, your knowledge and response have overshadowed all others. Again, thank you!”
- “THANK YOU! I’m a retired teacher and I just received over $10,000 from Social Security in spousal benefits after listening to one of AMAC’s webinars. I followed the advice given and in less than a month am receiving (monthly) benefits plus six months’ retro. I am so grateful you reached out to me and other retirees!.”
- “I know you all probably hear this all the time but thank you for being there for people. You have helped me tremendously.”
- “What an absolutely splendid answer: thorough, clear, comprehensive and always on point! This world needs a few thousand more like you. Now, we will be able to proceed with far less trepidation.”
These represent just a few of the comments our Social Security Advisory Service receives every day! Since we started this journey a decade ago, we have assisted over 44,000 seniors with their Social Security questions without charge, sometimes resulting in an increase in their Social Security benefit. All questions to our Social Security Advisory Service are answered promptly – phone calls are usually handled immediately or calls are returned promptly; emailed inquiries are usually answered within 24 hours of receipt (or sooner). And our “Ask Rusty” articles will continue to be published nationwide every week.
Our Journey Continues
This has been, and continues to be, a satisfying and fulfilling journey for the AMAC Foundation’s Social Security Advisory Service, and for our “Ask Rusty” series of Social Security articles. We hope you will take advantage of this important resource for America’s senior citizens. Find more information about our services at our main AMAC Foundation website – www.amacfoundation.org, or at the Foundation’s’ topical Social Security website – www.SocialSecurityReport.org. And if you seek information about the nation’s primary healthcare system, that can likely be found at the AMAC Foundation’s Medicare information website – www.medicarereport.org. And be assured that our “Ask Rusty” articles will still continue well beyond milestone article number 500, and all other AMAC Foundation services will continue as well, as we work to fulfill our mission to “support and educate America’s seniors!” And best of all, our Social Security Advisory Services are free because we are a nonprofit organization. However, tax-deductible donations are graciously accepted at www.amacfoundation.org/donate/
[1] A non-profit affiliate of the Association of Mature American Citizens (AMAC).