Ask Rusty
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 open a joint account. They said as long as he comes in with his ID…
Read MoreAsk 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 personal amount at age 70? Her own amount at her full retirement age is $1,100…
Read MoreAsk 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 dollars because I made too much, and they have withheld my $2000 monthly SS payment.…
Read MoreAsk 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? 2. How can I know that amount has been applied? Signed: Unsure Dear Unsure: We…
Read MoreAsk Rusty – My State Pension Eliminated My Social Security Survivor Benefit
Dear Rusty: My husband of 21 years died in January 2022 at the age of 70. We were both retired at the time of his death, and they immediately stopped his Social Security payments. After many calls to Social Security asking why I was not receiving his benefits, I was finally told since I have…
Read MoreAsk Rusty – Why Can’t I Collect Survivor Benefits From My Deceased Wife?
Dear Rusty: I am a 62 year old widower that is still working full time. While my late spouse was in hospice, I was able to get her to apply for Social Security disability and she received one payment before she passed away two years ago. I was told that I could collect a survivor…
Read MoreAsk Rusty – About Income Tax On Social Security Benefits
Dear Rusty: I just started receiving my Social Security in February of 2023. I am also working part time at a company 24 hours a week. My question is… I feel like I missed something when I signed up for Social Security because they are not taking any taxes out. What did I miss? How…
Read MoreAsk Rusty – Working Widow Seeks To Maximize Social Security Benefits
Dear Rusty: I was widowed years ago and, when I approached age 60, I looked into Social Security survivor benefits based on my late husband’s record. He started receiving Social Security shortly before he died at $1,200 per month. My income at age 60 was $42,000 and, since Social Security would keep $1 for every…
Read MoreAsk Rusty – Will Work Earnings Affect My Social Security At Age 80?
Dear Rusty: I am 80 years old, and I receive monthly Social Security benefits, but I’m thinking about returning to work. At this age, am I limited in how much income I generate without affecting my benefit? If so, how much can I earn without affecting it? Signed: Spry Octogenarian. Dear Spry Octogenarian: Since you…
Read MoreAsk Rusty – What If I Delay But Die Before Claiming Social Security?
Dear Rusty: Hypothetically, if I plan to sign up for Social Security at 70 and pass away before that, I will get nothing. My spouse would still get a boost in the amount she receives because I made more, but everything I put into the program vanishes. I haven’t reached my full retirement age yet…
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