Q & A
Ask Rusty – Is My Analysis of my Wife’s Social Security Correct?
Dear Rusty: I am 63 and my wife is exactly 4 ½ years younger than me to the day. I plan to file for Social Security when I turn 70. My earnings history is considerably higher than my wife’s. I…
Ask Rusty – How Do I Get Back Benefits Withheld Due to the Earnings Limit?
Dear Rusty: If I work and take Social Security before my full retirement age, how can I find out how I will be paid back the money withheld after I pass the earnings limit? Signed: Returning to Work Dear Returning:…
Ask Rusty – I Have Medicare Advantage – Why Is a Medicare Premium Deducted from my Social Security?
Dear Rusty: My wife and I have a Medicare Advantage Plan, and we do not use Medicare for our claims. However, we still have the Medicare premium deducted from our Social Security checks. Is this correct? Signed: Wondering Dear Wondering:…
Ask Rusty – Should I Quit Work to Preserve My Social Security Benefit?
Dear Rusty: I recently took a big pay cut in my job. Several older friends have advised that I not continue to work much longer in this reduced paying job because it will affect my Social Security when I get…
Ask Rusty – Should I Take Social Security Even If I Don’t Need It?
Dear Rusty: I am 66 years plus 8 months old, am still working making six figures, and can support myself. I’m a healthy, self-employed single woman and have a State Pension (from a divorce settlement). I will work part time,…
Ask Rusty – I Have VA Coverage; Should I Get Medicare Part B?
Dear Rusty: I am a 74 year old veteran enrolled with the VA. I have never had Medicare Part B. Should I? My only source of income is Social Security. Signed: Retired Veteran Dear Retired Veteran: First, thank you for…
Ask Rusty – How Do I Apply for Social Security Benefits?
Dear Rusty: I would like some advice concerning Social Security. In January I will be 62.5 years old. I was laid off two years ago and have not had a steady income since (though I still have bills to pay).…
Ask Rusty – Social Security’s WEP is Unfair – I Want My Money Back!
Dear Rusty: How can a foreign company pay into the US Social Security system? I worked in Barbados before I immigrated to the USA and earned a pension there. Now my US Social Security benefits are reduced because I receive…
Ask Rusty – Should I Take My Widower Benefit Now?
Dear Rusty: I lost my wife 7 years ago. I was told that I could possibly collect 30 to 35% of her benefit as a widower benefit when I turned 60. I will be 61 soon. Would it make sense…
Ask Rusty – About Computing COLA and Congressional Pay Increases
Dear Rusty: What determines the amount of the cost of living increase for Social Security as compared to the cost of living increase for Congress? Last year Social Security got less than 2 percent, while Congress got a 10 percent…