Russell Gloor

Russell is the National Social Security Advisor at the AMAC Foundation, the non-profit arm of the Association of Mature American Citizens.

When Should My Wife Claim Social Security?

Dear Rusty: We could use guidance on optimum dates for my spouse to begin taking Social Security (SS). She doesn’t have…

2 weeks ago

Why Aren’t There Individual Social Security Accounts?

Dear Rusty: Regarding Social Security’s financial issues, three people contributing to Social Security for every one beneficiary sounds to me like…

3 weeks ago

Why Can’t I get a Lump Sum Social Security Death Benefit from my Wife?

Dear Rusty: My wife passed away in September 2025 at age 64. We had been married for 43 years and started…

1 month ago

Help! SSA Says I’m Not Eligible for Benefits

Dear Rusty: Help!! The Social Security Administration says I didn’t pay enough into my Social Security account, despite being a business…

1 month ago

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

Dear Rusty: I am 63 years old, and about to apply for my Social Security benefits. I am self-employed but only…

2 months ago

Social Security: The Mystery of Spousal Benefits

The Riddle: Why are my Spouse Benefits less than half? Probably the most common fallacy about SS spouse benefits is…

2 months ago

Should I collect SS now or wait two years until age 70?

Dear Rusty: I am 67 and 9 months old, collecting a modest SS survivor benefit with plans to collect my own…

3 months ago

I Lost Money as a Widow and Ex-spouse by Not Knowing the Rules on Social Security

Dear Rusty: I just found out, as someone who was collecting widow’s benefits on my second husband (a very small amount)…

4 months ago

My Friend is 65; shouldn’t she be exempt from Medicare payroll taxes?

Dear Rusty: My girlfriend is 65 and she just enrolled in Medicare. She is still working full time as a nurse,…

5 months ago

Am I Entitled to More Social Security as a Veteran?

Dear Rusty: I served in the U.S. Army from July 1964 to July 1967. Am I eligible for a higher Social…

5 months ago

I’m on SS Disability; Should I Switch to Regular Social Security?

Dear Rusty: Should I take my Social Security now at age 62, or wait till I am 65? I've been collecting…

7 months ago

Is Social Security Really a “good deal?” 

Dear Rusty: You’ve said in the past that most people recoup their SS contributions within five years of starting benefits, thus…

8 months ago

If We Both Collect Social Security, will our Benefits be Affected?

Dear Rusty: I reached full retirement age back in June, but I have not yet filed to collect Social Security. My…

8 months ago

Did the Obama-era Social Security Tax Cuts Hurt the Program?

Dear Rusty: I will be retiring early next year but my question to you is: During the Obama administration, payroll taxes…

8 months ago

Should I Ask for Retroactive Social Security Benefits?

Dear Rusty: I turn 70 next month, October 3, and am making an application for Social Security benefits to begin in…

8 months ago