AMAC Certified Social Security Advisor Russell Gloor

Social Security Matters: When should my wife claim Social Security benefits?

November 28, 2024 AMAC Certified Social Security Advisor Russell Gloor

Dear Rusty: I turned 64 in July and my wife turned 62 in August. My wife has not worked for approximately 15 years but does qualify for Social Security on her prior work record. My wife is having some physical issues and would like to not return to work. Since she is eligible to collect…

Social Security Matters: Older Veteran asks about Special Social Security Credit for Military Service

November 21, 2024 AMAC Certified Social Security Advisor Russell Gloor

Dear Rusty: I served in the U S Army from January 1958 to Feb 1961. What increase should I receive for those years and who do I call and at what phone number? Signed: Proud Veteran Dear Proud Veteran: First, thank you for your military service! I expect you are referring to the “special extra…

Social Security Matters: Why does the government raid Social Security?

November 7, 2024 AMAC Certified Social Security Advisor Russell Gloor

Dear Rusty: The Social Security program is funded by employees and their employers. The federal government does not contribute to the program, right? So why does the federal government feel they have the right to raid the fund? All the money sent to Ukraine and other unnecessary programs could have been used to pay back…

Social Security Matters About taxation of Social Security benefits

October 31, 2024 AMAC Certified Social Security Advisor Russell Gloor

Dear Rusty: I am past my Social Security full retirement age, and I am still working. I am married and we file our income tax jointly. My husband is 64 and is not working now, but he may, or may not, be able to work in the next year or so. At what point will…

Social Security Matters: About signing up for Social Security & Medicare Part B at 70

October 24, 2024 AMAC Certified Social Security Advisor Russell Gloor

Dear Rusty: I just turned 69 years old in August 2024 and am still working full time. I signed up for Medicare Part A but, it is my secondary insurance because I have great health insurance through where I work. My wife is retired and has Medicare Part A but, is on my insurance also,…

Social Security Matters: About retroactive Social Security benefits

October 17, 2024 AMAC Certified Social Security Advisor Russell Gloor

Dear Rusty: Both my wife and I are 67 1/2, i.e., past our full retirement age of 66 years and 6 months. Neither of us have yet filed for SS retirement benefits. My wife is entitled to about $1,000/month based on her work history, and I plan to wait until age 70 to file. I…

Social Security Matters: Will my wife’s survivor benefit be less because she claimed her Social Security early?

October 10, 2024 AMAC Certified Social Security Advisor Russell Gloor

Dear Rusty: I claimed Social Security at 70. My wife claimed her own SS at 62, and her earnings were significantly lower than mine. I understand my wife will be eligible to claim my benefit if I pass before she does, but will Social Security reduce that benefit because she didn’t wait until age 65…

Social Security Matters: About widow’s benefits vs. benefits from my ex-spouse

September 19, 2024 AMAC Certified Social Security Advisor Russell Gloor

Dear Rusty: In November I will be 60 and eligible for widow’s benefits. My late husband’s Social Security was approximately $2,300 when he passed around 7 years ago. FYI, my ex-husband is still working and will probably receive the highest SS when he retires in about 5 years (we were married for more than 10…

Social Security Matters Husband upset about his wife’s survivor benefit

September 12, 2024 AMAC Certified Social Security Advisor Russell Gloor

Dear Rusty: This is a matter that I find particularly irksome. My wife – a retired teacher – was told that, should I pre-decease her, she is not eligible to get survivor benefits from my Social Security payments. I’m sure there is some arcane, bureaucratic justification for this, but I think it unconscionable. Is this…

Social Security Matters

August 22, 2024 AMAC Certified Social Security Advisor Russell Gloor

Does some of my Social Security payment include repayment of my contributions? Dear Rusty: I have a question about my Social Security benefits. Would I be correct to assume that part of the monthly Social Security income I get is a repayment of what I contributed to the fund while I was working? If so,…