Q & A
Ask Rusty – Can I Get Social Security With My Municipal Pension?
Dear Rusty: I retired from a municipal Fire Department seven years ago at the age of 54. It is a private pension, and I was exempt from Social Security while I was working. I receive about $50,000 per year in…
Ask Rusty – No Dumb Questions About Social Security
Dear Rusty: I have some questions about Social Security, but I’ve never been old before so these may be dumb questions. My 66th birthday is in October 2021; do I put in for Social Security in January 2022? Or when?…
Ask Rusty – Can I Help My Friend with His Social Security?
Dear Rusty: I am trying to help a good friend of mine who lives in Indiana and is 80 years old. I am very concerned as he’s not now collecting SS for some reason, and I have no idea why.…
Ask Rusty – Can I Claim My Widow’s Benefit at Age 57?
Dear Rusty: My husband passed away in 2001, and he paid into Social Security every year he worked, which would be over 30 years. If he were alive today, he would be 75 years old. I am 57 years old…
Ask Rusty – Should We Get Married or Just Live Together?
Dear Rusty: My question is about benefits and getting married. I am a retired man, 65-years-old, and collecting Social Security plus 2 pensions. My girlfriend will turn 62 in October of 2020 and plans to apply for Social Security benefits…
Ask Rusty – Can I Hide My Social Security in A Tax-Advantaged Account?
Dear Rusty: I will be 62 years of age at the end of this year. Can I start drawing my Social Security at age 62 and have it directly deposited into my IRA (arm’s length), not spend it and continue…
Ask Rusty – What Will My Wife’s Benefit Be If I Die?
Dear Rusty: I am 76 years old and began collecting Social Security when I retired at the age of 62. My wife also began collecting SS when she turned 62 based on my benefits. She did not work enough to…
Ask Rusty – About the Virtues of Claiming Benefits Early
Dear Rusty: It seems like we are always encouraged to wait until our full retirement age or age 70 to claim our Social Security. For me, benefits at age 62 were a good jump start to my retirement. How about…
Ask Rusty – Can My Mother Get Benefits from Common Law Marriage?
Dear Rusty: My 71-year-old mother has a very small Social Security income. It is not enough to find her housing. I am working to file for increased VA benefits, as she is a veteran. Her partner of 21 years (common…
Ask Rusty – About Working While Collecting Social Security
Dear Rusty: In 2019 I was out of work for an extended period. I was eligible to begin receiving retirement benefits (at age 63) and started to do so in August. My part time job was limited so it did…