Q & A
Ask Rusty – Avoiding WEP & GPO Reductions
Dear Rusty: I am a retired Texas teacher receiving my State pension. I retired in February 2009, before the end of a “loophole” which affected my future Social Security. I had earned enough credits to receive Social Security benefits in…
Ask Rusty – How Will My Wife’s Benefits Be Affected by My State Pension?
Dear Rusty: I am 73 and receive a pension from my state’s Police and Fire Pension Fund. I took a full pension, so my wife only gets a widow’s pension when I die, and this is only a fraction of…
Ask Rusty – About Social Security’s “First Year” Rule
Dear Rusty: I am 63. My birthday is 10/23/1957. I currently draw a small pension of $14K and a salary of $75K. I’m contemplating retirement at the end of April this year and I’d like to start drawing Social Security…
Ask Rusty – Delayed Claiming; Am I Now Getting the Right Amount?
Dear Rusty: I am having problems getting answers from the national Social Security office or the local agent who I first spoke with to apply for my benefits. I am 70 in January 2021 and applied for benefits at the…
Ask Rusty – Should I Wait Until Age 70 To Claim?
Dear Rusty: I have read your answers to the commonly asked question of “When should I claim social security benefits.” You always say one should wait as long as possible (up to age 70) to get the maximum monthly benefit.…
Ask Rusty – Do COVID-19 Bonuses Count Toward the Earnings Limit?
Dear Rusty: I’m 63 and still working, and I receive Social Security benefits. Because of COVID-19 my employer has been giving us a $300 bonus, every 3 months. This will be $1,200 for the year and it will put me…
Ask Rusty – Did My Wife Get A “Notch Baby” Benefit Increase?
Dear Rusty: I was born in May of 1930, and my wife was born in April 1931. My wife claims she received an increase in her Social Security benefit due to the “Notch Baby” provision. Is she correct about this?…
Ask Rusty – About Repaying Social Security Money Taken by Politicians
Dear Rusty: It is common knowledge that over the decades politicians have taken billions if not trillions of dollars out of the Social Security fund to finance other government programs. This information is never published or addressed and having the…
Ask Rusty – I’m 66. When Should I Claim Social Security?
Dear Rusty: I’d like to get advice on when I should begin taking my Social Security benefit. I turned 66 in October of 2020. Signed: Pondering Retirement Dear Pondering: Deciding when to claim your Social Security benefit is a personal…
Ask Rusty – Should a Working Widow Claim Now or Wait?
Dear Rusty: My husband died 13 years ago at age 50. I am now 64, never remarried, and work full time making a healthy income. I have never claimed any of his benefits. What are my best options? Signed: Working…