Santa Monica Observer - Community, Diversity, Sustainability and other Overused Words

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...

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...

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...

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,...

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...

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 Securi...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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 rec...

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 curr...

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...

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...

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,...

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...

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....

Ask Rusty – Must I Pay Income Tax on Social Security Benefits? Dear Rusty: I do not recall the rules on my income tax obligation for Social Security benefits. Can you please explain these rules to...

Ask Rusty – Will My Husband's Benefits Continue After He Dies? Dear Rusty: My husband is 65 and I am 55. He has recently been diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. My question is, will I continue...

Ask Rusty – Can a Widower Get Full Survivor Benefits Early? Dear Rusty: My wife passed from COVID-related heart disease in 2020, just short of her 65th birthday. I will be 66 in May 2023. Do I have...

Ask Rusty - I'm Working; Why Hasn't My Social Security Benefit Increased? Dear Rusty: I will be 72 in July. I started taking my Social Security at age 64 after a job loss and other items that came...