Ask Rusty

Dear Rusty: I’m 64 and my wife is 62. If my wife starts her own benefit now, she will get about $700 on her own at 62. I will retire next year and claim Social Security when I am 65. SSA says my wife can draw $1,100 under spousal benefits, so if she claims now will…

Dear Rusty: I am currently receiving Social Security benefits while continuing to work full time. There are no restrictions on my wage earnings because I waited until full retirement age before beginning benefits. However, I was also told that my benefit amount would be reviewed each year if my current earnings were higher than past…

Dear Rusty: I have a very simple question: I will turn 70 on September 20th and want to start my Social Security benefits in September. What month should I file my claim? Have there been delays with the reductions in SSA staff? Thank you for your help. Signed: Ready to Claim.  Dear Ready to Claim: Social Security…

Dear Rusty: I am curious about the “formula” to decide when to take Social Security while still working. I am past the Full Retirement Age. How do you best address such? Should we schedule a call? Signed: Wondering When Dear Wondering: Well, you can always contact us by phone on 1.888.750.2622 to speak to one…

Dear Rusty: I am curious about the “formula” to decide when to take Social Security while still working. I am past the Full Retirement Age. How do you best address such? Should we schedule a call? Signed: Wondering When   Dear Wondering: Well, you can always contact us by phone on 1.888.750.2622 to speak to…

Dear Rusty: I opted to draw my Social Security retirement benefit early and work part time. The company I work for has decided to pull me from field work due to my age and health. Although they are great keeping me at 20 hours per week running for parts and doing office work, I’m not…

Dear Rusty: When will the funds stolen from the SS Fund be replaced? They used Social Security when the government ran out of money and used it for illegals. I think the funds should be replaced except for legitimate payments to Social Security recipients. This money was never meant to be used by the federal…

Dear Rusty: In your answer to the retired U.S. Navy veteran about why he is forced to enroll in Medicare, you focused on military TriCare’s requirement for the member to enroll in Medicare. But you said nothing about regular VA health care. If a non-career veteran is eligible for VA health care, couldn’t that be…

Dear Rusty: I am writing to you on behalf of my husband. His intentions are to go part time as of January 1, 2026, working 30 hours a week and take Social Security benefits as supplemental income. How can we determine what his Social Security benefit would be with him still working part time? He…

Dear Rusty: I’m a retired Navy veteran who is going to be turning 65 years old this year. My question is concerning mandatory Medicare sign-up requirements. Why do I have to sign up for Medicare coverage at 65 when I can’t start collecting full Social Security benefits until I turn 67? My Social Security benefits…