Q & A
Ask Rusty – Ex-spouse benefits – When you don’t get
Dear Rusty: I am very confused about where I stand with Social Security. I have been divorced twice. First husband is 79; I was married to him for 10 years. He is remarried and collecting Social Security. Second husband is…
Ask Rusty: WEP – Substantial Earnings Test
Dear Rusty: I turn 62 this June. I collect a State Teachers Retirement and have been told I face a windfall reduction in my SS benefits if I have less than 30 service years in SS. Social Security claims that…
Ask Rusty – Working & Social Security
Dear Rusty: I recently turned 62, and have not yet filed for Social Security benefits. At this point my benefit based on my own record would be about $1,000 per month, but since I still work I know I would…
Ask Rusty – Child Benefits Stopped at 18
Dear Rusty: I received my Social Security payment for February but not for the month of March. I’ve seen rumors about how they might cut Social Security checks from people in general, and I really hope that’s not why I…
FAQ: Hospital Observation Care Can Be Costly For Medicare Patients
(By Susan Jaffe for Kaiser Health News) Some seniors think Medicare made a mistake. Others are stunned when they find out that being in a hospital even for a couple of days doesn’t always mean they were actually admitted. Continue reading…
What is the Ticket To Work Program?
Answer: The Ticket To Work Program can help Social Security beneficiaries go to work, get a good job that may lead to a career, save more money, and become financially independent, all while they keep their health coverage. Ticket to Work…
What are Compassionate Allowances?
Answer: Compassionate Allowances are Social Security’s way of quickly identifying severe diseases and other medical conditions that qualify a person for disability benefits without waiting a long time. Compassionate Allowances permit Social Security to target the most obviously disabled individuals…
If I get Social Security disability benefits and I reach full retirement age, will I then receive retirement benefits?
Answer: Social Security disability benefits automatically change to retirement benefits when disability beneficiaries reach full retirement age. In most cases, the payment amount does not change. The law does not allow a person to receive both retirement and disability benefits simultaneously…
How do I get a replacement Medicare card?
Answer: Your Medicare card is proof of your Medicare insurance. If your Medicare card was lost, stolen, or destroyed, you can ask for a replacement by using your online my Social Security account. If don’t already have an account, you can…
Is it true that the 2016 COLA will be 0% or negative? A follow-up…How else will this affect you?
Complete Question: I keep hearing that we will have either no or negative COLA for 2016. Is that true or is it just media hype? Also, is it true that this is based on the low gas prices? Answer: As…