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Social Security Matters

Dear Rusty: I am a 62 year old widower that is still working full time. While my late spouse was in hospice, I was able to get her to apply for Social Security disability and she received one payment before she passed away two years ago. I was told that I could collect a survivor benefit, so I called my local Social Security office, but they told me that I could not collect any type of benefits from my wife and that all the money she paid into SS for all of those years was basically gone for good. Would you please advise what I can do and if this is true? I was also told that Social Security’s agents will do everything they can to avoid paying out benefits. Signed: Frustrated Widower

Sermonette

Sometimes we think that Jesus mission ended at the cross, but did not end at the cross!

... The Postscript

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Social Security Matters

by AMAC Certified Social Security Advisor Russell Gloor Association of Mature American Citizens Ask Rusty - “About income tax on Social Security Benefits” Dear Rusty: I just started receiving my Social Security in February of 2023. I am also working part time at a company 24 hours a week. My question is... I feel like I missed something when I signed up for Social Security because they are not taking any taxes out. What did I miss? How do I go about fixing it so I don’t get hit at the end of the year? They are taking taxes out of my paycheck now, do they still take it out of my Social Security because I am working? Please help if I am not doing something right. Signed: Conscientious Senior Dear Conscientious: Unfortunately, when the Social Security Administration processes your application for benefits, they don’t usually inform you that your Social Security benefits may become part of your taxable income. I expect that’s because your benefits only “may” become taxable – they do not definitely become taxable, because Social Security benefits are taxed only if you exceed a certain income threshold.

Sermonette

This past Tuesday we celebrated the birthday of our nation and the signing of the Declaration of Independence. It was a momentous decision for each one of the men who placed his name upon that Declaration.

Time Machine

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Gasoline Shortage Hits Tonkawa Area; Many Stations Report Short Supplies

Mullin

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On June 24th, 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling of Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization overturned the unconstitutional right to an abortion, a devastating error from the Roe v. Wade ruling in 1972. On this historic day one year ago, the Court restored the unalienable right to life prescribed by our forefathers and rightfully returned the power to protect the unborn back to the states where it should have been all along.

Sen. Bill Coleman

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They say if you don’t like the weather in Oklahoma, just wait a minute and it’ll change. We are no strangers to extreme weather and this spring and summer have proven that. Unfortunately, while our part of the state usually avoids damaging weather, we weren’t so lucky with this latest round. Far Eastern Osage County and the part of our Senate district in Tulsa County got hit hard and sustained substantial damage and some areas are still without power.

Social Security Matters

Dear Rusty: I was widowed years ago and, when I approached age 60, I looked into Social Security survivor benefits based on my late husband’s record. He started receiving Social Security shortly before he died at $1,200 per month. My income at age 60 was $42,000 and, since Social Security would keep $1 for every $2 above the limit (around $15,000 at that time), I did not apply. Next year I will reach my full retirement age of 66½, but I plan to work until I am 70. Will I be able to receive full survivor benefits next year if I continue to work? I plan to switch to my own Social Security benefit at age 70, which will be higher than my husband received. Since I am waiting to apply for survivor benefits, will there be an increase in the amount I receive? I am a municipal employee and when I retire, I will collect from the state retirement system. I paid into the state retirement system and also paid Social Security taxes, so will my state pension have any impact on my Social Security?

Sermonette

There are many problems and sorrows that create stress in life. Oddly enough most of us don’t think of the anguish of being childless. But for those who sincerely desire to have a child and cannot, then it is a big deal.