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Russell “Rusty” Gloor answers AMAC member questions on claiming strategy, spousal benefits, COLA, Medicare, and more — in plain, practical language.

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Recent questions

Real questions from AMAC members, answered in plain language by a certified advisor.

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Every question Rusty has answered

294 questions answered · page 1 of 10

  1. When Will Congress Repay Social Security Money Taken Years Ago?

    Sep 28, 2026 · Ask Rusty

    Did Congress steal Social Security money? Learn the truth about SS Trust Funds, government bonds, and why no benefits were ever taken.

  2. Is My Daughter Making a Bad Decision? - Claiming Widow's Benefits Early

    Sep 21, 2026 · Ask Rusty

    Should your daughter claim widow's benefits at 62? Learn how the Annual Earnings Test and Social Security taxes could affect her decision.

  3. I’m Reevaluating My Retirement Plan; What are my Options?

    Sep 14, 2026 · Ask Rusty

    Claiming Social Security in September instead of March leaves out the 5.3% in delayed credits earned in 2026 until January 2027, when the higher payment finally kicks in.

  4. Must I Enroll in Medicare at Age 65?

    Sep 8, 2026 · Ask Rusty

    Turning 65 with creditable employer health coverage? You may defer Medicare enrollment penalty-free. Learn how Special Enrollment Periods and Part B rules work.

  5. Why Change Social Security Now? It’s a Working “Ponzi Scam”

    Aug 31, 2026 · Ask Rusty

    Is Social Security really a Ponzi scheme? AMAC explains why it's not and what the looming 2033 insolvency means for your benefits.

  6. Will Social Security Run Out of Money Soon?

    Aug 24, 2026 · Ask Rusty

    Social Security reserves may deplete by 2032, risking a 22% benefit cut. Learn what's happening and how AMAC is fighting for solvency.

  7. We Were Bitten by Medicare’s IRMAA this year; What Should I Do?

    Aug 17, 2026 · Ask Rusty

    A 2024 RMD that pushed a couple's income past $218,000 raised their 2026 Medicare premiums, but lower 2025 income corrects it automatically for 2027.

  8. I Worked for my Ex-husband but Wasn’t Paid and Now Have little Social Security; What are my options?

    Aug 10, 2026 · Ask Rusty

    Worked unpaid for your ex-husband and have little Social Security? Learn how ex-spouse benefits and assistance programs could help boost your income.

  9. Is the Medicare Part B Premium a Percentage of our Social Security Amount?

    Aug 3, 2026 · Ask Rusty

    Medicare Part B premiums aren't a percentage of Social Security. Learn how CMS sets premiums, plus the hold harmless provision and IRMAA rules.

  10. When Should My Wife File for Spouse Benefits?

    Jul 27, 2026 · Ask Rusty

    Be aware that your wife's spousal SS benefit will be based on her age when she claims it, and half of your full retirement age, or "FRA," amount.

  11. I Was Cheated; I Delayed Claiming SS but Didn’t Get My Full Benefits

    Jul 20, 2026 · Ask Rusty

    Delayed Retirement Credits (DRCs), which are earned when someone delays claiming until after their Social Security full retirement age, are applied only in January of each year.

  12. Can My Spouse File at 63 and Then Get Half of Mine When I Later Claim?

    Jul 13, 2026 · Ask Rusty

    If your spouse’s FRA entitlement is less than half of your FRA entitlement, your spouse will get a “spousal boost” to bring his monthly retirement payment up.

  13. Should I Claim Spouse Benefits Now, or my Own SS Benefit?

    Jul 6, 2026 · Ask Rusty

    My husband is already taking his SS benefits, so I have also wondered if it be advisable to take spousal benefits or full benefits.

  14. Why Doesn’t My Social Security Record Show All My Military Earnings?

    Jun 29, 2026 · Ask Rusty

    Whether your earnings while in the military would provide you with any additional Social Security benefit depends on your career earnings after leaving military service.

  15. When Should My Wife Claim Social Security?

    Jun 22, 2026 · Ask Rusty

    Assuming her life expectancy is at least average, that is how your wife would get the most cumulative Social Security benefits over her lifetime.

  16. Why Don’t They Just Create Individual Social Security Accounts?

    Jun 15, 2026 · Ask Rusty

    Regarding Social Security’s financial issues, three people contributing to Social Security for every one beneficiary sounds to me like a surplus.

  17. Why Don’t We Have a Minimum Social Security Benefit?

    Jun 8, 2026 · Ask Rusty

    The concept of a “minimum” Social Security benefit is not new and, indeed, already exists - but it is one which few beneficiaries qualify for.

  18. Why Can’t I get a Lump Sum Death Benefit from my Wife?

    Jun 1, 2026 · Ask Rusty

    Although we often see assertions that the so-called “one-time lump sum death benefit” is always paid, there are specific rules for when that admittedly small SS benefit is available.

  19. I’m being Released from Incarceration - What Are My Social Security Options?

    May 26, 2026 · Ask Rusty

    Since Social Security does not pay benefits for partial months, you can file for your SS benefits to start effective with the month following the month in which your incarceration ends.

  20. Help! SSA Says I’m Not Eligible for Benefits

    May 18, 2026 · Ask Rusty

    Help! SSA Says I’m Not Eligible for Benefits - Ask Rusty

  21. About Social Security’s “First Year Rule” and Withdrawing from SS

    May 11, 2026 · Ask Rusty

    It can get tricky if you are still working after claiming your Social Security before your full retirement age. I’m happy to answer your questions.

  22. I’m Still Working; Why Didn’t I Get a Higher Social Security Benefit?

    May 4, 2026 · Ask Rusty

    Although you contributed to SS since you started receiving SS benefits, those contributions do not affect your monthly SS benefit. 

  23. I Want to do Everything Right When I Claim Social Security

    Apr 27, 2026 · Ask Rusty

    Deciding when to claim your Social Security benefit is a decision you should make only after careful consideration of your personal circumstances.

  24. Should I Collect Social Security Now or Wait Two Years Until Age 70?

    Apr 21, 2026 · Ask Rusty

    Would it be prudent to file for my own Social Security as soon as possible so that my benefit might be "grandfathered" in before any sudden and drastic cuts occur?

  25. Must I Set Up a Social Security Account to Enroll in Medicare?

    Apr 13, 2026 · Ask Rusty

    You don’t technically need to “set up” an online SSA account to enroll in Medicare, but it would be more efficient to do so.

  26. Social Security Spousal Benefits: What Living Spouses May Be Missing

    Mar 31, 2026 · Ask Rusty

    A free webinar explains Social Security spousal benefits, helping couples understand eligibility and maximize monthly payments.

  27. I’ll Be 65 Soon and am Working, Must I enroll in Medicare?

    Mar 30, 2026 · Ask Rusty

    I will be 65 in October and I am working full-time. I heard I have to apply for Medicare Part A only. Is this true?

  28. I’ll be 70 on New Year’s Day - When Should I Apply for Social Security?

    Mar 23, 2026 · Ask Rusty

    I’ll be 70 on New Year’s Day - When Should I Apply for Social Security? - Ask Rusty

  29. Help! Social Security Reduced my Monthly Payment

    Mar 17, 2026 · Ask Rusty

    When IRMAA applies, it reduces your net Social Security payment because Medicare premiums are automatically taken from your SS benefit.

  30. When Will I Get Full Credit for Delaying my SS Retirement?

    Mar 9, 2026 · Ask Rusty

    The time is nearing that I want to move from my current Social Security survivor benefit to my own SS retirement benefit at 70 years of age.

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