Q & A
Ask Rusty – Widow’s Benefits or Retirement Benefits?
Dear Rusty: I am 58 years old. My spouse passed away last year, and I am entitled to survivor benefits. I am trying to plan for when I can retire from working, but don’t know if I should take my…
Ask Rusty – Maximizing Spousal Benefits
Dear Rusty: My husband turns 68 next year, and I will be turning 66. He plans on continuing to work and retiring at age 70 to maximize his monthly Social Security benefits. I am retiring next year due to a…
Ask Rusty – Can I get Medicare without claiming Social Security?
Dear Rusty: I am 63 and my full retirement age is 66 and 2 months. I want to try and hold out to 70 before I start collecting SS. My 2018 Social Security statement said I’m eligible to apply for…
Ask Rusty – Paying Social Security Tax Doesn’t Increase Benefit
Dear Rusty: If I started drawing Social Security benefits in May of 2007 at age 62 and continued to work and pay Social Security taxes to date, can I expect an adjustment in my benefits? Signed: Working Senior Dear Working…
Ask Rusty – Financial Advisor Spoke of Extra Spouse Benefit
Dear Rusty: I have applied for and been approved to start collecting my Social Security this month (at age 66). My wife will turn 62 in March 2019 and is planning to apply for benefits then. In a group meeting…
Ask Rusty – U.K. Pension Affects Social Security Benefits
Dear Rusty: Today I had my interview for Social Security and was told that because I receive a government retirement pension from the United Kingdom, my Social Security check will be reduced by up to 55%. My question is, how…
Ask Rusty – Will I Get Spousal Benefits?
Dear Rusty: What percentage, if any, should I be able to collect on my husband’s Social Security benefits? He started his at full retirement age and I’m turning 62 in 3 months (born 1957). I did work and am eligible…
Ask Rusty – Upset About Wife’s Reduced Social Security Benefits
Dear Rusty: My wife contributed to Social Security before and after working alongside her first husband in their business, but with no contributions during that period. In more recent years she taught public school for enough years to qualify for…
Ask Rusty – Father Seeks Benefits for Disabled Adult Son
Dear Rusty: We have a 100% disabled son, disabled from birth. He is now 35 years old and receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI). My wife and I plan to retire in the next two years and start drawing our Social…
Ask Rusty – Should I Marry My Girlfriend?
Dear Rusty: My girlfriend of nine years will be 66 on June 4th next year. It was her plan to begin taking half of her ex-husband’s SS at that time allowing hers to grow until she reached 70 at which…