Community, Diversity, Sustainability and other Overused Words
Community, Diversity, Sustainability and other Overused Words
Sorted by date Results 26 - 50 of 108
Ask 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 do I go about fixing it so I don't get hit at the end of the year? They are taking taxes out of my paycheck now, do they still take it out of my Social S...
Ask 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 have already reached your full retirement age (FRA) for Social Security's purposes, you can earn as much income f...
Ask Rusty – About "Survivor" Benefits vs. "Spousal" Benefits Dear Rusty: I will be 70 in August and will file my application for benefits in May. I know I'll get my maximum possible amount at age 70, but I need you to clarify things I have read. Per an award-winning TV host, author, and host of a money podcast "if the higher-earning spouse delays until age 70 to claim Social Security, that guarantees the survivor the biggest possible benefit." But then I read in a different article that if a p...
Dear Rusty: My 62nd birthday is in late August of this year. I would like to start collecting Social Security, but after reading about the need to keep my earnings less than $21,240 in the first year it doesn't seem fair to those who have birthdays later in the year. I will have earned a lot by the end of August. Or am I missing the part where the year starts from the day you retire? Or is it a fiscal year? Please elaborate? Signed: Looking Ahead Dear Looking Ahead: Born in late August, your...
Ask Rusty – Will Social Security Be There for Me? Dear Rusty: I am 56 and hope to hold out to get maximum Social Security at age 70. However, with all of the talk of Social Security funds being depleted, is it wise to continue with this mindset? Will there even BE Social Security benefits for folks in my age bracket? Should I think about starting Social Security benefits as soon as I am eligible? I am employed; however, I don't have a large amount of savings. I contribute to my company's 4...
Ask Rusty – About Difficulty with Social Security's Sign-in Process Dear Rusty: Last month I tried to contact Social Security who never picked up a phone on their end. The same with the IRS. When I finally got through, they said I had to join ID.me before they could help me. That took me over a week, and many applications and rejects, to get through. The last step was holding up my Social Security card and my driver's license on a Zoom call to an ID.me representative. I found this very p...
Ask Rusty – What Counts for Social Security's Earnings Limit? Dear Rusty: I retired on February 1st of this year (2022). I collect a pension from my employer plus a union pension, as well as Social Security, all of which started in February 2022. I am married and I'm 65 years old. I only worked 4 weeks in 2022 before retiring, but my income ended up being far more than expected. I got 5 weeks' vacation pay and a retroactive check from an overdue labor contract. I also got hazard pay and a s...
Ask Rusty – Can I Get Survivor Benefits While Still Working? Dear Rusty: I lost my wife several years ago and I qualified for Social Security Spousal benefits. Unfortunately, because of my income, I have not been able to take advantage of this benefit. I am currently 64 and still working. I believe I have until the age of 70 to receive this. Is there any way to claim any of this before I start taking my Social Security in a couple of years? Signed: Working Widower Dear Working Widower: Your e...
Ask Rusty – Retired Federal Employee Has Small Social Security Benefit Dear Rusty: When I started getting Social Security at 62, I was told by the SS office I would get a smaller monthly amount because I worked for the Federal Government and received a Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) pension. I paid into Social Security for about 20 years working outside the government, and I now receive only about $280 a month in Social Security. It just seems like I should be getting more. How can I l...
Ask Rusty – Can A Working Widow Collect Survivor Benefits? Dear Rusty: I'm 63 and still employed. My husband passed away 7 years ago at the age of 58. Am I able to collect my husband's Social Security while I'm still working? Signed: Working Widow Dear Working Widow: Technically at age 63 you're eligible to collect a survivor benefit from your husband but, since you're working, we need to dig a bit deeper. Any time benefits are taken before reaching full retirement age, Social Security's earning...
Ask Rusty – For Some Simple Guidance About Medicare Dear Rusty: I'm nearing 68 years old, have never signed up for Medicare but thinking that I should look into it. I'm currently covered by my wife's health insurance through her employer. I would greatly appreciate some simple guidance regarding Medicare. I've tried watching some videos about the subject, but it was always so boring that I never finished watching. I get lost in all the Part This & Part That. I would just like some solid i...
Ask Rusty – How Do I Avoid Pitfalls and Get Maximum Social Security? Dear Rusty: I turned 70 in June of this year and want to start receiving benefits. I am currently working full time as well. I want to set things up and get started in the most advantageous way so that my benefit is maximized even when I stop working. What are your recommendations for me to intelligently start the process and avoid any pitfalls? Signed: Ready to Claim Dear Ready to Claim: Since you are past 70 years of age, y...
Ask Rusty – When Is My Wife Eligible for Full Survivor Benefits? Dear Rusty: I heard my spouse will get 100% of my Social Security when I pass if she is at her full retirement age (FRA), which is 66 years and 8 months. But I also heard that full widow benefits for those born in 1958 are available at 66 years and 4 months. Which is correct? Then I heard that her getting 100% of my social security is NOT the case because I started social security at 70. I heard this is because widow benefits a...
Ask Rusty – How Do I Get My Social Security As Soon As Possible? Dear Rusty: I am a few weeks away from my 61st birthday in November 2022. I was wondering how far in advance of my 62nd birthday next year should I file my Social Security benefits paperwork in order to get my first check the same month I turn 62? I usually work a part time job during the winter months - but that job fell through this fall 2022. So, I do not want to waste any time getting that first check arriving the minute I t...
Ask Rusty – How Do I Handle an Overpayment Notice from Social Security? Dear Rusty: Things have gone good for me until now. I got a job and have enjoyed going back to work after being retired. But I just got some bad news - a letter from Social Security saying I owe them $17,000 because when I went back to work, I earned more than allowed in 2021. They never mentioned that I told them I was going back to work! They now say they can't pay me benefits in 2022 because I am working. Good job SSA, s...
Ask Rusty – Veteran Asks About Disability and Ex-Spouse Benefits Dear Rusty: I am a military veteran with a total & permanent disability. I was married for over ten years to a military man who has since honorably separated from military service. I was originally on Social Security disability, which automatically converted to regular Social Security retirement benefits when I turned 65 -- with the amount remaining at the "disabled" level instead of the "regular" rate based on my Social Security e...
Ask Rusty – About the "Restricted Application for Spousal Benefits Only" Dear Rusty: You wrote an article about a man who was collecting spouse benefits but was applying for his own benefit at age 70, under an old law. What are the circumstances surrounding that gentleman's ability to collect spousal benefits? Why was he eligible? And was he working clear up into the age of 70 before applying for his own Social Security? Signed: An Inquiring Mind Dear Inquiring Mind: The "old law," under w...
Ask Rusty – Younger Widow Asks About Collecting Survivor Benefits Dear Rusty: My husband died several years ago in 2019. It is my understanding that I should be receiving some portion of his Social Security payments. However, when I called to notify Social Security that he passed, they told me not to touch his last check because it would be taken back. I was 8 years younger than my husband, so I am still only 58. I also have always made more income than he did. How do I find out if there is s...
Ask Rusty – Can My Wife Claim a Spouse Benefit First? Dear Rusty: I have been getting Social Security since age 66. My wife turned 62 in June. We are thinking of taking her spouse benefits on my record since it would be higher than hers (we checked online). We began filling out the application but do not see a way to let them know we want her to receive spouse benefits and not her own. How do we do that? Signed: Trying to Apply Dear Trying: You don't see that option because your wife doesn't hav...
Ask Rusty – What Are My Wife's Benefits While I'm Living and as My Widow? Dear Rusty: I will be 70 in January and my wife will be 65 in February, at which time we will both go on Medicare. I am currently working, and my approximate Social Security benefit will be around $2,900. My wife was a stay-at-home mom and, therefore, has minimal Social Security benefits on her own. At 65 she is eligible for $870 and at full retirement age will qualify for $990. A few questions: if she starts to draw benef...
Ask Rusty – I'm 78 and Still Working; Should I Apply for Social Security? Dear Rusty: I am 78, still working, have a good healthcare plan and I make a nice salary. Can I still get my Social Security check since I paid into it all these years? Signed: Still Working in My 70s Dear Still Working: You not only can get your Social Security check now, I recommend you apply for it as soon as possible. Regardless of your current earnings, you'll not suffer any penalty because you are still working. T...
Ask Rusty – What Do My Wife, and my Ex-wife, Get If I Die? Dear Rusty: I am a 77 year old married male. I am retired and started drawing Social Security at age 66, and my monthly amount is a little over $3,000. My present wife is 52 and employed, and we have been married for 22 years. I also have an ex-wife who is 85, not married, and drawing Social Security. My ex-wife and I were married 13 years. When I am deceased, what happens to my Social Security benefits? When my present wife decides t...
Ask Rusty – About Working While Collecting Early Benefits Dear Rusty: How much would be withheld from my social security benefits? I am 62 and can claim about $1,900 a month now. I'm still working, making about $75K per year. How much of my benefits would I get? What would be withheld from me and when would I get it back? And would there be any penalty? Signed: Eligible but Working Dear Eligible: In the scenario you describe, you will not be eligible to collect Social Security retirement b...
Ask Rusty – I'm Getting Spouse Benefits – What Happens to My Own? Dear Rusty: I was born in late 1951. When I retired 5 years ago, I was made aware that my own Social Security benefit was less than half of my husband's SS Benefit. So, I chose to take half of his. What happens to my undispensed SS dollars? On the off chance the balance increases beyond the amount I am now collecting, can I eventually switch to my own full SS amount? Signed: Curious Senior Dear Curious Senior: Much depends on exa...
Ask Rusty – Can My In-laws Get Supplemental Security Income? Dear Rusty: I am wondering what the income limit is for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) eligibility. My in-laws are in their 70's. both drawing Social Security, and each has a pension from jobs they retired from. I am wondering if they are eligible to collect SSI. They have income from all sources that is over $2100 per month, they are on Medicaid, but they have no savings and few assets. I have been told by a random family m...
