Q & A
Ask Rusty – I’ll Be 65 Soon and am Working. Must I enroll in Medicare?
Dear Rusty: I will be 65 in October and I am working full-time. My goal is to work until age 67, which is my full retirement age, or until age 70. I heard I have to apply for Medicare Part…
Ask Rusty – I’ll be 70 on New Year’s Day. When Should I Apply for Social Security?
Dear Rusty: I was born on January 1st, 1958, so I believe Social Security considers me to be 70 as of December 2027. I’m planning on filing when I turn 70 to maximize the payment. I’m not sure if I…
Ask Rusty – Help! Social Security Reduced my Monthly Payment
Dear Rusty: My last Social Security payment decreased by about $400, so I went to my online SS account and found a November 2025 letter explaining that my 2024 tax return showed a greatly enlarged AGI (Adjusted Gross Income). Thus, SSA decided to…
Ask Rusty – When Will I Get Full Credit for Delaying my SS Retirement?
Dear Rusty: The time is nearing that I want to move from my current Social Security survivor benefit to my own SS retirement benefit at 70 years of age. I have been looking more deeply into the application of Delayed…
Ask Rusty – Is There Income Tax on Social Security Benefits?
Dear Rusty: The Trump Administration is saying that now there will be no taxes on Social Security benefits. Since we’re getting ready to start our 2025 income tax return, can you explain how this all works? Signed: Confused Taxpayer Dear…
Ask Rusty – I Lost Money as a Widow and Ex-spouse by Not Knowing the Rules
Dear Rusty: I just found out, as someone who was collecting widow’s benefits on my second husband (a very small amount) for some time, that I was, all along, entitled to divorce benefits from my first husband which are much…
Ask Rusty – My Friend is 65; shouldn’t she be exempt from Medicare payroll taxes?
Dear Rusty: My girlfriend is 65 and she just enrolled in Medicare. She is still working full time as a nurse, but they are still deducting Medicare taxes from her paycheck. I thought as soon as you started Medicare, that…
Ask Rusty – I’m Still Working; Why Didn’t my Benefit Amount Increase?
Dear Rusty: I have been working somewhat consistently since commencing my Social Security benefit income. I’ve been collecting since my full benefit age of 66, approximately. I’m now 81, and customarily, in about October of each calendar year, Social Security…
Ask Rusty – Why is my Social Security Retirement Benefit So Small?
Dear Rusty: Can you help me understand? I have paid into Social Security since I started working in 1978. I did have a lot of tax deductions, but I don’t understand why I only receive $350 a month from Social…
Ask Rusty – Am I Entitled to More Social Security as a Veteran?
Dear Rusty: I served in the U.S. Army from July 1964 to July 1967. Am I eligible for a higher Social Security payment? Thank you. Signed: Vietnam Era Army Vet Dear Army Vet: Please accept my sincere thanks for your…