Q & A
Ask Rusty – Working Internationally and Social Security
Dear Rusty: For a number of years I lived and worked in Germany. I paid into their version of social security. As far as I know I will be eligible to receive German benefits either in a lump sum or…
Ask Rusty – Paying FICA doesn’t change benefits
Dear Rusty: I am 73 and self-employed, but each year I must pay self-employment tax – money for Social Security and Medicare – as part of my income taxes. I have been collecting Social Security since I was 62, and…
Ask Rusty – Speeding up Social Security Disability Claims
Dear Rusty: I have been diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS) and my condition has gone downhill pretty fast, to the point that I’m not able to work anymore. I think I could get Social Security disability, but from what…
Ask Rusty – Divorced Spouse Benefits
Dear Rusty: Thank you for your Social Security articles, which a group of friends and I read every week. If it had not been for one of your articles, I wouldn’t have known that I could get benefits on my…
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…