Q & A
Ask Rusty – About Investing Social Security Money in the Stock Market
Dear Rusty: For most folks collecting Social Security, you get back what you put in within 3-5 years, so for those that scream – “SS is not an entitlement, it is my money”- that is not entirely accurate beyond 3-5…
Ask Rusty: I Use only VA healthcare; Can I get back Medicare taxes paid?
Dear Rusty: I’m 72 years old with 20 years of military service. I am retired collecting Social Security, my military pension, and State retirement benefits. According to my SSA statement, over my working lifetime I paid $14,302 into Medicare, but…
Ask Rusty – Can my Wife Claim Her SS Now and Get Half my SS Benefit Later?
Dear Rusty: My wife will reach her full Social Security benefit at 66.5 years of age which is just under 2 years away for her now. If she were to begin to get her monthly check now (i.e. early), would…
Ask Rusty – Have I Saved Social Security Money by Claiming at 62?
Dear Rusty: I had to start collecting Social Security at 62, and I am 75 now. I believe that in the last 13 years I have saved Social Security money, so I do not know why I cannot draw my…
Ask Rusty – About How Medicare Premiums Are Determined
Dear Rusty: Please explain the Medicare premium increase based on income reported to Social Security? For those of us that waited to draw Social Security until age 70, and who are still working – drawing a salary, and planning to…
Ask Rusty – Am I entitled to more Social Security from my Ex-husbands?
Dear Rusty: I am 76 years old and a retired high school counselor/teacher. I was married to my first husband from 1968 until 1981. He is still living, and he remarried two more times and, I believe, he is currently…
Ask Rusty – When Should My Wife Claim Social Security Benefits?
Dear Rusty: I turned 64 in July and my wife turned 62 in August. My wife has not worked for approximately 15 years but does qualify for Social Security on her prior work record. My wife is having some physical…
Ask Rusty: Older Veteran Asks about Special Social Security Credit for Military Service
Dear Rusty: I served in the U S Army from January 1958 to Feb 1961. What increase should I receive for those years and who do I call and at what phone number? Signed: Proud Veteran Dear Proud Veteran: First,…
Working Septuagenarian Asks About Disability Benefits
Dear Rusty: I retired at my full retirement age, am now 79 and will be 80 in December. I have been working consistently since. I get a meager Social Security benefit, only about $800 due to my federal retirement offset.…
Why Does the Government Raid Social Security?
Dear Rusty: The Social Security program is funded by employees and their employers. The federal government does not contribute to the program, right? So why does the federal government feel they have the right to raid the fund? All the…