Q & A
Ask Rusty – One Word to Get Extra Benefits
Dear Rusty: I keep receiving emails from different investor groups about “The one word that will get you an extra $570 per month in social security,” which I could use. Of course they want you to buy all sorts of…
Ask Rusty – Suspending Benefits to Return to Work
Dear Rusty: At age 63 I applied for Social Security benefits after double knee replacement. I am considering returning to work and am curious whether to stop benefits while working. Is it a better avenue to continue to receive benefits…
Ask Rusty – Applying for Social Security Disability Benefits
Dear Rusty: My question is how to apply for disability? I suffer from blepharospasms (facial dystonia) of both eyes, non-diabetic neuropathy in both feet and lower legs, and have a hearing loss related to my occupation as a police officer…
Ask Rusty – When Should I Apply for Social Security?
Dear Rusty: I will be turning 62 in 2018; birth date 9/24/1955. My husband is 77 and receiving Social Security. Longevity runs in my family. I have been self-employed all my life. I am still working and my husband collects…
Ask Rusty – Losing Benefits You Have Earned
Dear Rusty: I’m 73 years old and have finally decided to call it quits from working and start taking life easy. My wife is 72 and has never worked outside our home, but we’re both in good health and are…
Ask Rusty – COLA, Medicare Premiums and the Hold Harmless Provision
Dear Rusty: My wife and I got the annual notification of our Social Security earnings starting Jan 1, 2018. UNBELIEVABLE! I will get a gross COLA increase of $31.00 a month, but I will only get $6.00. The remaining $25.00…
Ask Rusty – Social Security Credit for Military Pay
Dear Rusty: I have tried to contact Social Security many times but been put on hold for over 40 minutes, received no call back, etc. Also, I tried to find out online at my S.S. account, but got no answers…
Ask Rusty – Computing Spousal Benefits
Dear Rusty: I read an article today which talked about how one spouse’s benefits should be 50% of the other spouse’s and about something called a “spousal boost”. I do not make 50% of my husband’s Social Security benefit and…
Ask Rusty – Maximizing benefits and When to Retire
Dear Rusty: I am looking for advice regarding maximizing social security benefits. In our case, my husband is 59 and has been on Social Security Disability for about 5 years. I am also 59 and work full time as a…
Ask Rusty – Estimated vs Actual Benefits
Dear Rusty: I am going to stop working in October 2018 at age 62. I do not want to start drawing my Social Security then (at age 62 it would be $1,005/month; normal retirement is 66 years, 4 months, $1,454/month).…