Full retirement age
Demystifying Child-in-Care Spouse Benefits
A Spouse Can Get Social Security Benefits Before Age 62 Most couples know that age 62 is the normal minimum age to apply for Social Security spousal benefits. But many are not aware that spouse benefits are available to spouses…
Claiming Social Security in 2026? Here’s how to prepare.
Are you planning to take your Social Security benefits in 2026? Then it is important to be aware of several changes which can permanently affect your monthly benefit amount, and how you pay income tax on your benefits. Your benefit…
Demystifying Your Social Security Benefit
Your Social Security Benefit Winston Churchill famously described the Soviet Union as “a riddle inside an enigma wrapped in a mystery.” That is also an apt way to describe your Social Security benefit, or so it seems when trying to…
COLA and You!
In mid-October every year, we learn what our Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) will be for the upcoming year. For most seniors, their Social Security payment is a major source of income, and COLA is applied to your SS monthly…
Ask Rusty – How Do I Navigate the Social Security Maze?
Dear Rusty: I am a woman, turning 65 this October (2025). It seems that deciding when to claim Social Security is complicated. I would like more information to navigate through this maze. Thank you. Signed: Ready to Claim Dear Ready:…
Ask Rusty – When Will My Disability Become My Regular Social Security?
Dear Rusty: I hope you can answer this question. I’m currently receiving Social Security Disability benefits, and I will be turning 65 in February 2026. I’m confused as to how Social Security Disability transitions to regular Social Security, and when.…
Claim Social Security at age 62? Or 67?
Deciding when to claim your Social Security benefits is often a confusing choice, which tends to make many just claim as soon as they become eligible at age 62. But what do you forfeit by claiming at age 62, versus…
The High Cost of Healthcare!!!
We all know that healthcare costs rise over time, especially as we age. So the news that higher Medicare premiums, deductibles, and surcharges are expected to go up over the next decade is hardly new news. But what may be…
Demystifying Your Social Security Benefit
Winston Churchill famously described the Soviet Union as “a riddle inside an enigma wrapped in a mystery.” That may also be an appropriate way to describe your Social Security benefit, or so it seems when trying to understand how your…
A Strategy to Maximize Your Social Security
This Yahoo! Finance article explains how to maximize your Social Security benefits, possible adding another $300,000 to your total lifetime benefits. It suggests that delaying up to age 70 to claim your benefits is a smart move, vs. taking a…