Benefit
Why Can’t I get a Lump Sum Death Benefit from my Wife? – Ask Rusty
Dear Rusty: My wife passed away in September 2025 at age 64. We had been married for 43 years and...
I’m Still Working; Why Didn’t I Get a Higher Social Security Benefit? – Ask Rusty
Dear Rusty: I began collecting benefits at age 72 and am now 78. Since that time, I have continued to...
Should I Collect Social Security Now or Wait Two Years Until Age 70? – Ask Rusty
Dear Rusty: I am 67 and 9 months old, collecting a modest SS survivor benefit with plans to collect my own...
Social Security Spousal Benefits: What Living Spouses May Be Missing – Free Webinar
A free webinar on how spousal benefits work — and what you may be entitled to! Are you — or...
Social Security Survivor Benefits – Part 2
Understanding the “Widow Limit” The “widow limit” rules apply in situations where the higher-earning spouse took their benefits early, such as...
I’m Still Working; Why Didn’t my Benefit Amount Increase? – Ask Rusty
Dear Rusty: I have been working somewhat consistently since commencing my Social Security benefit income. I’ve been collecting since my...
Am I Entitled to More Social Security as a Veteran? – Ask Rusty
Dear Rusty: I served in the U.S. Army from July 1964 to July 1967. Am I eligible for a higher...
Key Benefits of Using a Travel Agent
Sponsored By: TravelPerks Travel has resumed with a flourish, with many industry insiders predicting this summer to be the busiest travel season...
Why Didn’t My Friend’s Wife Get All Her SS Immediately? – Ask Rusty
Dear Rusty: A friend told me about what he believes is a strange thing in the Social Security system. His...
I’m on SS Disability; Should I Switch to Regular Social Security? – Ask Rusty
Dear Rusty: Should I take my Social Security now at age 62, or wait till I am 65? I've been...
If We Both Collect Social Security, will our Benefits be Affected? – Ask Rusty
Dear Rusty: I reached full retirement age back in June, but I have not yet filed to collect Social Security....
Benefits of Great Slumber!
No doubt about it, sleep is essential for the human body. Not only does it make people feel better, but...
Should I Ask for Retroactive Benefits? – Ask Rusty
Dear Rusty: I turn 70 next month, October 3, and am making an application for Social Security benefits to begin...
Should I Take Social Security Now, or at age 70? – Ask Rusty
Dear Rusty: I was born in April 1958, and my plan has been to take my Social Security at age...
AMAC Supports Bill to Clarify Social Security Claiming Age Descriptions
September 10, 2025The Honorable Lloyd Smucker11th Congressional District of Pennsylvania302 Cannon House Office BuildingWashington, DC 20515 Dear Congressman Smucker, On...
I’d Like to Retire Early, but Don’t Want My Social Security Reduced – Ask Rusty
Dear Rusty: I will be 65 this year and my husband is 72 (he retired in 2019 at age 66)....
Can I Claim My Own SS Benefit Now and Get Half of My Husband’s Benefit Later? – Ask Rusty
Dear Rusty: I would like to get an answer concerning taking my Social Security benefit soon and switching to my...
Four VA Improvements in 2025– Behind Friendly Lines
Semper Gumby. Phonetic: SEM-per GUM-bee. Phrase: always flexible. From the Latin, “semper,” which means always, and “gumby,” which implies flexible...
The OBBB Includes Conservative Welfare Reforms Worth Expanding
Republicans have plenty to tout in their One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB), including its extension of the 2017 Trump tax cuts, improved...
Can My Wife Get Her Full Spousal Benefit at 62, or Must She Wait? – Ask Rusty
Dear Rusty: I'm 64 and my wife is 62. If my wife starts her own benefit now, she will get...
Why Hasn’t My SS Benefit Changed Because I Am Still Working? – Ask Rusty
Dear Rusty: I am currently receiving Social Security benefits while continuing to work full time. There are no restrictions on...
Can My Husband Work Part Time and Collect Social Security? – Ask Rusty
Dear Rusty: I am writing to you on behalf of my husband. His intentions are to go part time as...
DHS Secretary Noem Says ‘Gravy Train’ Over at HUD for Illegal Immigrants
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is teaming up with the Department of Homeland Security to prevent illegal...
Medicare Meltdown Is Here: We Told You So
Two years ago, liberals rushed through their first installment of the Green New Deal (aka, the Inflation Reduction Act), which raided...
AI and Social Security—Perfect Together? Maybe Not!
The headlong rush into artificial intelligence (AI) these days produces a steady stream of new players. As a concept though,...
Understanding Annuities and How They Work
Annuities serve as insurance products tailored to guarantee a consistent income stream primarily for retirees. By incorporating an annuity rider...
WEP and GPO: To Repeal or Not?
Just before last Christmas, Martin O’Malley was sworn in as Commissioner of Social Security. His term will run through January...
Social Security Basics
Social Security weighs on the minds of many people, from folks experiencing retirement to those in the initial stages of...
Retirement Experts Warn ‘There Are Going to be Losers’ Because of Social Security Insolvency
Last week, CNBC hosted a Twitter Space titled “Will Social Security always exist? What you need to know” to discuss...
State Fair Answer Key
AMAC Magazine Exclusive - Vol. 17 Issue 5- SEP/OCT '23 Read the full digital version of the AMAC Magazine issue...
Benefits of a Health Spending Account
Health Spending Accounts are known for offering three major tax advantages. The contributions are made pre-tax, the growth is tax-free,...
Is a Guaranteed Issue Policy Right for You?
Guaranteed life insurance policies are a product created to solve problems for certain groups. Use this guide to decide if...
AMAC Magazine Exclusive Quiz Answer Key
<-- ENTER TEXT IN THE BOX ON THE LEFT
AMAC Magazine Exclusive Scamming Update
Keeping Up With Email Scams & Learning About Two Of The Latest by AMAC, D.J. Wilson Scam # 1 –...
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...
Retired Public Servant Feels Government Pension Offset is “Unjust”
Dear Rusty: I’m a retired firefighter and live in Ohio. I earned Social Security from my side employment, but the...
Ask Rusty – Widow Stung by Social Security’s “Claw Back” Rule
Dear Rusty: My husband of 48 years died on December 30th, and he received a Social Security direct deposit for...
AMAC’s Medicare Tip of the Week: Over-the-Counter Benefits – What Are They and How Do I Use Them?
Did you know that many Medicare Advantage plans provide an Over-the-Counter Benefit for your everyday healthcare items? These plans often...
Ask Rusty – What’s the Best Way to Start Receiving My Survivor Benefit?
Dear Rusty: When one becomes a widow/widower, what is the most efficient way to start receiving the deceased's monthly Social...
Four Tips to a Healthier 2023
The month of January rushed in, thrusting 2023 into full swing. For many, this first month of the new year...
AMAC Magazine Christmas Trivia Answer Key
a message from AMACAMAC welcomes all members to join us in this AMAC Magazine Exclusive Christmas Trivia fill-in-the-blank. We strive to...
Ask Rusty – Will the Family Maximum Limit My Benefits?
Dear Rusty: I have a question about the family maximum SS retirement benefit. As I understand it, if the breadwinner...
Ask Rusty – Should I Claim Social Security Now?
Dear Rusty: I am 68 years old, born in July 1954. I have the credits necessary to qualify for benefits....
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...
A Beginner’s Guide to Social Security
This article first appeared on Mediaplanet Future of Personal Health For many folks, retirement is a destination. Thoughts of someday...
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...
Ask Rusty – Will Paying the IRS Quarterly Increase My Social Security?
Dear Rusty: I waited to sign up for Social Security until I turned 70 last month so I would qualify...
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...
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...
Ask Rusty – Will My Wife Get a Spouse Benefit When I Claim at 70?
Dear Rusty: My wife started receiving her social security at 65 (her full retirement age), and she will be 69...
Understanding Medicare Part C
Dear AMAC, I keep hearing ads on television about Medicare Part C plans that offer additional benefits. I want to...
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)...
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...
Ask Rusty – Should I Quit Work to Preserve My Social Security Benefit?
Dear Rusty: I recently took a big pay cut in my job. Several older friends have advised that I not...
Ask Rusty – Social Security’s WEP is Unfair – I Want My Money Back!
Dear Rusty: How can a foreign company pay into the U.S. Social Security system? I worked in Barbados before I...
Should I Take My Widower Benefit Now? Ask Rusty
Dear Rusty: I lost my wife 7 years ago. I was told that I could possibly collect 30 to 35%...
About Paying SS Tax While Still Working – Ask Rusty
Dear Rusty: Upon being let go in 2009 at age 65 from my full-time job of 30 years, I immediately...
Ask Rusty – Is Waiting until 70 Still the Best Plan to Maximize Social Security?
Dear Rusty: My wife started her Social Security at 62 in March 2017, and I filed a Restricted Application to...
About the Basics of Applying for Social Security – Ask Rusty
Dear Rusty: I am planning to apply for Social Security in May of 2022 and would like to understand how to...
Is My COLA Increase Based on My Current SS Benefit? – Ask Rusty
Dear Rusty: I started collecting SS when I turned 70 to maximize my income. One factor that is never mentioned...
Will Retiring Early from Work Affect my Social Security? – Ask Rusty
Dear Rusty: I stopped working at age 55, well before my full retirement age of 66 years and ten months....
About Including “COLA” in Benefit Projections – Ask Rusty
Dear Rusty: In your reply to "Confused Senior" about when to claim Social Security benefits, I noticed that you did...
Is It Always Best to Wait Until Age 70 to Claim Social Security? – Ask Rusty
Dear Rusty: I'm 66 years old and still (self) employed as a home builder. I have not taken Social Security...
Does Paying SS Tax Now Increase My Benefit? – Ask Rusty
Dear Rusty: I started drawing my benefits at age 62 due to being laid off from my job at age...
I’m Terminal; What Are My Wife’s Options as My Survivor? – Ask Rusty
Dear Rusty: I’m 60, and my wife is 62. I have terminal Stage IV prostate cancer, but my wife is...
Disability vs. Survivor Benefit – Ask Rusty
Dear Rusty: I have a question regarding Social Security. I’m 54 and applying for disability. I’ve had rheumatoid arthritis since...
When Should I Claim My Survivor Benefit? – Ask Rusty
Dear Rusty: My wife passed away in 2014. I'm 60 years old and have been retired since August 2020. I...
Why Did Social Security Ask My Mother This Question? – Ask Rusty
Dear Rusty: When my father passed away and we went to update my mother’s Social Security benefits, a question arose...
Will My Widow’s Benefit Replace My Own SS? – Ask Rusty
Dear Rusty: My husband is 76, retired for 4 years, and receiving Social Security. I am only 59 and still...
American Water Resources Offers Service Line and Plumbing Protection with AMAC Member Pricing
Sponsored by American Water Resources If you own a home, you may be responsible for repairing the water and sewer...
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The Association of Mature American Citizens (AMAC) is here to protect your interests, and to offer an alternative perspective on how to best solve the problems seniors face today. We need you. America needs you.