Q & A
Ask Rusty – When Should My Wife Claim Social Security?
Dear Rusty: We could use guidance on optimum dates for my spouse to begin taking Social Security (SS). She doesn’t have enough work credits on her own, so she will be using mine for spousal benefits. I was born in…
Ask Rusty – Why Don’t They Just Create Individual Social Security Accounts?
Dear Rusty: Regarding Social Security’s financial issues, three people contributing to Social Security for every one beneficiary sounds to me like a surplus. If they had given workers their own accounts, similar to a 401k, where they could manage their…
Ask Rusty – Why Don’t We Have a minimum Social Security Benefit?
Dear Rusty: I think we should have a Social Security baseline of $2,500 for each person. When I retire, my Social Security benefit will not be enough to survive. There are many of us who worked low paying jobs all…
Ask Rusty – Why Can’t I get a Lump Sum Death Benefit from my Wife?
Dear Rusty: My wife passed away in September 2025 at age 64. We had been married for 43 years and started collecting benefits when I turned 62 and she was 63. She did not have enough work credits to claim…
Ask Rusty – I’m being Released from Incarceration. What Are My Social Security Options?
Dear Rusty: In a previous column, you wrote about people who filed for Social Security late in life. I am currently incarcerated and will be filing for Social Security in the fall of 2029. I will be 74 years old…
Ask Rusty – Help! SSA Says I’m Not Eligible for Benefits
Dear Rusty: Help!! The Social Security Administration says I didn’t pay enough into my Social Security account, despite being a business owner and paying taxes. What can I do?” Signed: Self-employed American Dear Self-employed: For all potential SS beneficiaries, it…
Ask Rusty – About Social Security’s “First Year Rule” and Withdrawing from SS
Dear Rusty: I am 63 years old, and about to apply for my Social Security benefits. I am self-employed but only working part time. I know about Social Security’s annual earnings limit but recently I learned I must also be…
Ask Rusty – I’m Still Working; Why Didn’t I Get a Higher Social Security Benefit?
Dear Rusty: I began collecting benefits at age 72 and am now 78. Since that time, I have continued to work and have contributed over $40,000 to Social Security over the last six years. At the time of my retirement,…
Dear Rusty – I Want to do Everything Right When I Claim Social Security
Dear Rusty: I will be 62 in two years. I plan on signing up for SS at age 62, but I have heard there are details that are important when signing up. When it comes time, I want to make…
Ask Rusty – Should I collect SS now or wait two years until age 70?
Dear Rusty: I am 67 and 9 months old, collecting a modest SS survivor benefit with plans to collect my own much larger benefit at age 70. I was confident this plan was a good one; but recent turbulent events make me…