Q & A
Ask Rusty – Does Social Security Ever Make Mistakes on Benefits?
Dear Rusty: Can or does the Social Security Administration occasionally make mistakes in determining the benefits due? I’m now 72 but I retired early at age 61 and knew that my benefits would be reduced. I’ve always wondered if my…
Ask Rusty – Will Selling Large Asset Affect Wife’s Social Security?
Dear Rusty: If I have reached full retirement age (FRA) and wish to sell a $500,000 asset, will it affect my wife’s Social Security if we file jointly? I have heard that it will affect my Medicare (the amount withheld…
Ask Rusty – Why Did My Social Security Payment Go Down?
Dear Rusty: Upon reading a magazine article about the 2020 COLA increase, I thought I’d share the following: Like others, I received the 1.6% raise in my Social Security benefit. However, after their manipulations with Medicare, the net result was…
Ask Rusty – What happens to my Social Security if I die at age 62?
Dear Rusty: I have worked my entire life and contributed to Social Security. I have been single my entire life with no children. What happens to all that money I have contributed to Social Security if I die at age…
Ask Rusty – About Warnings to Make Sure I “file properly”
Dear Rusty: I am currently 63 years old and planning to delay retirement until 70 to maximize my benefit. I’ve been seeing a lot of financial planners advertising claims that you can lose thousands of dollars in benefits if you…
Ask Rusty – We took benefits early; can we get more now?
Dear Rusty: My birth date is 1947. My wife is 1950. We both took our Social Security years ago at age 62 due to health concerns because we questioned if we would live to age 78 to equalize the extra payout…
Ask Rusty – When Should I Claim My Widow’s Benefit?
Dear Rusty: My husband passed away at the age of 52, and I was 53. I am currently 59. I’ve read about and been encouraged to file for widow’s benefits from Social Security when I turn 60. My question is:…
Ask Rusty – Can My Husband use the “Restricted Application?”
Dear Rusty: My question is about the “restricted application for spousal benefits only” I saw referenced in an article. I will turn 66 in February and have applied for my “full retirement benefit” and will continue to work full time.…
Ask Rusty – Should I Claim Social Security At 63?
Dear Rusty: I’m 63 years old. What are the benefits or negatives of retiring now? How do I begin the process? Signed: Tired of Working Dear Tired: Your first question is quite open-ended, but I can give you the basics.…
Ask Rusty – Will Foreign Earnings Count toward my U.S. Social Security?
Dear Rusty: I am looking for advice on how our recent decision to take up work in the United Kingdom will affect our U.S. Social Security benefits. I want to understand whether we need to be prepared for a loss…