Commentary

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

Ask Rusty – Should Octogenarians Tell Social Security They Married?

Dear Rusty: We were married two years ago at age 78 and 81. Do we need to do anything with Social Security? Signed: Blissfully Happy Dear Blissfully Happy: Congratulations on your fairly recent marriage and, yes, there are some things you should do. Specifically, you should contact Social Security to inform them of your marriage, see whether any additional benefits are available, and to make any changes needed to your contact information. Here are some things to consider:

• If a name change has occurred for one of you, that person should contact Social Security to report the change. A copy of your marriage certificate (and other ID) will be required, and a new Social Security card will be issued.

( Newsworthy Articles and My Opinion) SCARY REPORT

The US News & World has recently issued its best/worst states report. Again, Louisiana was listed as the worst or among the worst states in key quality of life areas. Another recent report by Wallethub, also included Louisiana as the worst state in America for working mothers, showing moms here are shortchanged on everything from pay to childcare.

The report showed (1) Louisiana has 639 violent crimes per 100,000 people while the national average is 399 per 100,0000 people; (2) the release of toxins per square mile being more than the national average; (3) Louisiana has 3,670 preventable hospital admissions per 100,000 compared to the national average of 2,781; and, (4) a quarter of Louisiana roads are in poor condition compared to 19% nationally.

The pervasiveness and severity of domestic violence impacting the workplace demands the attention of employers, managers, human resources and security staff, experts agreed.

BE ON YOUR TOES

Some of the things we thought would never happen in this country are now raising their head and we’ve got to be aware of what is going on.

Ask Rusty – I’m A Widower With 3 Minor Children - What About Social Security?

Dear Rusty: My wife passed away a few days ago and I have three children - ages 15, 11, and 10. Is there anything I need to do? Signed: Suddenly Widowed Dear Suddenly Widowed: We are so sorry to hear of your wife’s passing; please accept our condolences for your loss. Here’s what you need to know about Social Security:

• Your wife’s minor children will all be eligible for a survivor benefit, which will be based upon the Social Security benefit amount your wife had earned up to the month she died. The children can collect their survivor benefit until they are 18 years old (or 19 if they are still in high school).

Ask Rusty – About Payroll Tax and Income Tax on Social Security

Dear Rusty: Is it possible for you to go over how the Federal withholding tax is computed on Social Security benefits? Signed: Curious Taxpayer.

BIDEN ANNOUNCES

President Biden has announced, by video - not live, that he is running for reelection as the President of the United States. It seems preposterous for him to secure another term for if he were to win, he would be 86 years old when he leaves office. According to the polls, a vast majority of Americans understand that Mr. Biden is not a competent president. They also feel that if Donald Trump is his opponent the race will be close. Americans are so easily fooled. For example, he is widely known for not taking questions because he’s not too quick on his feet. On the other hand, a Sean Hannity report showed visual evidence that the questions he did take at the announcement were already known to him by the reporters who asked him and his answers were in writing so the president read them back. Come on man.

CHANGING TIMES

No matter what your status in life is, rich or poor, young or old, sooner or later our bodies will cease to function. We will die! Nothing can keep this from happening to us, with the exception of the Rapture, if you are alive when Jesus comes back for His children. Then you won’t taste death but will be transported to heaven with Him. The main idea behind the word “death” is “separation” The separation of the spirit from the body. Sometimes death is looked at as a process. A gradual weakening of the body, which ultimately ends in death-the cessations of bodily functions. “So, then death is at work in us, but life is in work in you…Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. (2 Corinthians 4:12-16) Physical death or the separation of the body from the spirit, is described in scripture as an enemy of humanity (1 Corinthians 15:26) When separation takes place -loss of life. Life is extinct.

Ask Rusty – Why Can’t I Get Social Security Disability on My Own or My Husband’s Record?

“And the graves were opened” Matthew 27 :52 The miracles of Calvary came with such rapid succession that it is difficult to describe exactly the chronological order. The disturbance in the graveyard has an important place of its own in the Calvary miracles! Some think it’s the most important miracle of all. The climax being “Many bodies of the saints coming out of the graves”. “Jesus, when He had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. And behold, the veil of the Temple was rent in twain from top to bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; and the graves were opened.” So, because of the earthquake fissures split the ground and the graves were opened exposing the bodies inside of them from Friday until Sunday 3 days as an exhibition, exposed before thousands of spectators. The epic center of the earthquake was the cross at Calvary. There was a graveyard at Calvary because Joseph of Arimathea, had his tomb near Calvary----Jesus was laid in his tomb.