seniors
A Social Security Journey with “Ask Rusty” and the AMAC Foundation
The AMAC Foundation[1] is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the support and education of American seniors. “Ask Rusty” is the Foundation’s popular and nationally syndicated Social Security advice column. Here’s more about the AMAC Foundation’s journey and the “Ask Rusty”…
Improving Customer Service at SSA
Improving customer service and the entire beneficiary experience is definitely a priority for the new Commissioner of the Social Security Administration. And that priority was once again emphasized in the recent announcements about changes to SSA’s operating procedures, designed to…
What do you fear more – Dying or running out of money in retirement?
According to a recent survey of retired seniors, most of us fear running out of money during retirement much more than we fear death! A somewhat stunning 67% of seniors worry more about their financial security than any other issue…
Ask Rusty – Can my spouse file at 63 and then get half of mine when I later claim?
Dear Rusty: My spouse is 63 and I am 65. I am planning to take my Social Security benefits at age 70. Can my lower earning spouse take his own benefits now, and then – when I take my full…
A “Silver Lining” on the horizon for Social Security Beneficiaries?
Lord knows, good news about Social Security is always welcome! Because we so often hear about dark financial clouds hovering over the nation’s most important senior benefit program, positive information is always welcome. And this is the time of the…
Fixing Social Security will leave a lot of people unhappy
According to the most recent Trustees Report, the OASI trust fund is expected to exhaust its reserves by the end of 2032. At that time, if government officials do not act, Social Security recipients could face a 22 percent benefit…
How Americans 75 and older actually fund retirement
Only 42 percent of Americans ages 75 and older have retirement savings in an IRA, 401(k), or similar account, according to the Federal Reserve’s Survey of Consumer Finances. However, it’s perhaps expected that they have run out of savings by…
Could individuals see cut to their benefits?
Following the bipartisan Social Security financing deal in 1983, Social Security ran a surplus every year until 2021. Starting in 2021, Social Security’s total cost exceeded its total income. However, the trust funds’ reserves supplement the program’s income until, according…
Democrats To Propose Bill Capping Out-of-Pocket Medicare Costs for Enrollees
(By Julie Appleby for KFF Health News published June 25, 2026) Sen. Ron Wyden and 14 Democratic co-sponsors plan to introduce legislation Thursday to cap consumers’ potential out-of-pocket costs in traditional Medicare, resurfacing a long-running debate over why the program…
Is phased retirement a better way to retire?
The average person in the U.S. works approximately 42 to 46 years before retiring, depending on when they start their career and their education level. The majority of individuals go from working full-time to full-time retirement, but the sudden stopping…