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

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...

Ask Rusty – About Payroll Tax and Income Tax on Social Security Dear Rusty: Is it possible for you to go over how the Federal withholding tax is computed on Social Security benefits? Signed:...

Ask Rusty – Should I Claim Early Due to Social Security's Financial Condition? Dear Rusty: I plan on retiring at 62, one year from now. I have been coached to (if financially possible) leave my...

Ask Rusty – Do Immigrants Get Social Security Benefits? Dear Rusty: I am 90 and a long time Social Security recipient - I signed up at age 62, which I now know was not wise, but I digress. We see...

Ask Rusty – My Husband Still Works; Must He Enroll in Medicare at age 65? Dear Rusty: There is confusion between my husband and me on when he should file for Medicare. My husband will be 64 in...

Ask Rusty – I'm Confused About Taking Medicare and Social Security Dear Rusty: I just turned 64 and now get stuff about Medicare and Medigap and so on. I really don't know how to retire when it's...

Ask Rusty – About Survivor Benefits for Minor Children Dear Rusty: My nephew died suddenly at 50 years of age and left 2 children, ages 17 and 14. He was divorced, but they were married for more...

Dear Rusty: I am originally from Switzerland. I moved to the States, got married in 2012, and became a US Citizen in 2016. I never worked in the United States but have 44 years of Social Security...

Ask Rusty – Will My Social Security Benefits Ever Be Non-Taxable? Dear Rusty: If we take our Social Security at our full retirement age (66 years and 6 months for both of us) and we both continue...

Ask Rusty – Will I Have Any Social Security Benefits? Dear Rusty: I'm 60 years of age and wonder if I will have any Social Security retirement benefits. After all, I did purchase them. Signed:...

Ask Rusty – Is My Analysis of my Wife's Social Security Correct? Dear Rusty: I am 63 and my wife is exactly 4 ½ years younger than me to the day. I plan to file for Social Security when I tur...

Ask Rusty – How Do I Get Back Benefits Withheld Due to the Earnings Limit? Dear Rusty: If I work and take Social Security before my full retirement age, how can I find out how I will be paid back...

Ask Rusty – I Have Medicare Advantage - Why Is a Medicare Premium Deducted from my Social Security? Dear Rusty: My wife and I have a Medicare Advantage Plan, and we do not use Medicare for our...