Q & A
Ask Rusty – How Do Disability Programs Affect Social Security’s Budget?
Dear Rusty: I read with interest an analysis of the history, reasons, and financial costs of the SSI (Supplemental Security Income) and SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) programs. My question is, specifically, what portion of the Social Security budget goes…
Ask Rusty – About Federal Taxation of Social Security Benefits
Dear Rusty: Why are my Social Security benefits being taxed at all? The Social Security FICA payroll taxes taken out of my paycheck while I was working were paid with taxable income. Signed: Disgruntled Taxpayer Dear Disgruntled Taxpayer: Many Americans…
Ask Rusty – Nonagenarian War Veteran Asks About Extra Credit for his Service
Dear Rusty: I’m turning 95 this year and am caretaker for my wife in our 70th year of marriage. I served before 1968 (1951-53) during the Korean War. How do the “special extra credits for military service” work for me?…
Ask Rusty – Will Opening a Joint Account Affect My Disabled Father’s “SSI?”
Dear Rusty: I live in Michigan and my senior disabled father lives in rural Kentucky. His income is part Social Security and part disability. I talked to a local credit union near his home and explained I would like to…
Ask Rusty – Why Is my Age 70 Benefit not Higher Than My January Amount?
Dear Rusty: I plan to retire in 2025 (the year I turn 70). Given that I’m still working, I’m delaying my Social Security until that year. I noticed on my Social Security statement that my payment in January of 2025…
Ask Rusty – I’m 64. When Should I Claim My Social Security?
Dear Rusty: I am 64 years old and still working full time. My question is – when should I start my Social Security? I would like to start it in January 2024 and go part time at work, but would…
Ask Rusty – What About All the Money Congress Stole from Social Security?
Dear Rusty: Is there any way that Congress will vote to pay back the Social Security funds they took for their stupid reasons, and left IOUs in place of the funds? Because of the funds they took going back many…
Ask Rusty – When Should My Wife Claim Social Security?
Dear Rusty: My wife will be 65 next year, and her full retirement age is 66 years plus 10 months. Can she collect 50% of my Social Security benefit at her full retirement age and then get her own higher…
Ask Rusty – Why is Social Security Withholding My Monthly Payments?
Dear Rusty: I have been working since I started collecting Social Security when I turned 62. Last year I was apparently overpaid because of my job. I made $37,000 and now the Social Security Administration says I owe them $8,800…
Ask Rusty – I’m a Veteran. How Do I Get My Extra Social Security?
Dear Rusty: As a military veteran, I was told that the final amount of my Social Security should be a little higher as a reward for military service. If so, I have two questions: 1. How much is the boost?…