Q & A
Ask Rusty – Social Security ‘Notch Baby’ seeks restitution
Dear Rusty: My husband was a “notch baby” and has been collecting less Social Security than his brother-in-law who had a lesser profession. Is there any hope for correcting this? Signed: Wondering and Hopeful Dear Hopeful: Well, the whole “notch baby” controversy…
Ask Rusty – File Early and Invest vs Wait to File
Dear Rusty: I read your article entitled “Doing a Breakdown Analysis” and noted that the article was in response to a reader question about when to take Social Security Benefits. The writer commented “I’m in pretty good health and don’t…
Ask Rusty – Special Extra Earnings for Military Service
Dear Rusty: Both my cousin and I served in the military starting in 1964. He completed his 4 years and got out; I served for 20 years. A few years ago we were visiting and he asked me if I was…
Ask Rusty – Going Back to Work after Retiring
Dear Rusty: I am 63 ½ and I am officially retiring from my job on August 1st because I’m physically unable to do the work anymore. I have qualified for a pension from work and I also want to start…
Ask Rusty – “Rat Holes” in the Social Security System
Dear Rusty: I am single and will be 63 on July 1 this year. I was born in 1955. I have been considering retiring sooner rather than later. (In other words, before FRA, which for me is 66 and 2…
Ask Rusty – Benefits for Disabled Adult Son
Dear Rusty: You were so kind to answer my recent questions about Social Security and I really appreciate how quickly and accurately you accomplished it. Now I would like to ask for your help again for my son (age 61)…
Ask Rusty – Working while collecting Social Security disability
Dear Rusty: My husband started getting Social Security disability in 2016 at the age of 61; he is now 63. Did it automatically switch over to regular Social Security? Also, he is feeling bored and would like to have a…
Ask Rusty – Collecting Social Security while Working
Dear Rusty: I’m trying to assist my spouse with her rapidly approaching age 62 when she can get her Social Security benefits. Currently she is working almost a full 40-hour week and her 2017 gross earnings were $29,000. If she…
Ask Rusty – Overpayment Notice due to Ex-spouse Benefits
Dear Rusty: My husband got an overpayment notice from Social Security telling us that his former wife had collected $32,640.34 in benefits she wasn’t entitled to and they want us to repay the overpayment. We knew that his ex-wife had…
Ask Rusty – Social Security for Retired Trooper in second career
Dear Rusty: I am a retired Indiana State Trooper but I’m working at a second career at the present time. What information would you need to let me know about what percentage of my Social Security I will lose out…