Commentary

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) leave my Social Security earnings for my wife to collect in the future if I die, considering that she was a homemaker for the majority of her income earning years. My instinct is to get Social Security coming (I understand I›m settling for a lesser amount at age 62) as soon as possible considering the forecast of our government›s inability to fund Social Security for the rest of my life. No one has a crystal ball, and no one knows what our government will or will not be able to fund even into next week, so we weigh what we know and see, and then decide. Is my question clear? Signed: Skeptical

To Daniel Jones:

My sister was talking to me recently about the summer camp her son will be attending in late June.

“He’s so excited,” she said. “It’s all he talks about.”

I just can’t relate.

I attended a few summer camps as a kid, but from the minute I arrived, I secretly counted the hours until it was time to go home. I’m not even sure why I agreed to go.

My first camp experience was Clara Springs Baptist Encampment in Pelican, La. I was eight years old. There were some fun times there, such as learning the harp and singing silly songs in the mess hall before supper, but overall I just recall the late nights in the top bunk missing my mother.

Then there were the two summers between 5th and 6th grades that I went to 4-H camp (Camp Grant Walker) in Pollock, La.

INFLATION

Have you ever asked yourself what are the effects of inflation on goods, services and every thing else these days. Inflation in the U.S. is increasing faster now than it has in nearly forty years dating back to Democrat president Jimmy Carter. We learned in school that inflation occurs when the consumer demands in

We learned in school that inflation occurs when the consumer demands in the economy rises more than the supply of consumer goods, or you can say “ too much money chasing too few goods.” The result is a general increase in price and decrease in purchasing power. Your hard earned bucks carries less “ punch”when you purchase food, energy, housing and any other of the necessities of life. This really hurts our people and particularly those with marginal or lower incomes.

America has been good to help people and more are on the way.

Refugees from Ukraine are coming to America, up to 100,000 would be welcomed as recently announced by President Biden. The population of some communities will grow depending on where the federal government places these people.

Since the passage of the refugee act there are already over 3 million refugees in America. They are located throughout the United States with large populations in some towns and cities.

Ask Rusty – Do Immigrants Get Social Security Benefits?

Dear Rusty: I am 90 and a long time Social Security recipient - I signed up at age 62, which I now know was not wise, but I digress. We see from various sources that immigrants, legal and illegal, get Social Security benefits merely by attained age, regardless of contributions. Is that true? Signed: Curious Nonagenarian

THE LOTTERY

A modern Louisiana lottery corporation was established in 1991 and became part of a fixture in our lives. The bill was first offered by Senator Ken Hollis of New Orleans, who asked that the funds be dedicated to education. Unfortunately, by the time it cleared both Houses the money was shared by other entities than just education. This was different from the first lottery which was born in 1868 and sold tickets nationally. A wave of corruption relocated operations to Honduras, where tickets were sold for a brief time by mail.

The first on record came in 1810, according to “History of New Orleans” by the late John Smith Kendall, a former war correspondent and a Tulane professor of 25 years. It was conducted by the rector, wardens and vestry men of Christ Church to raise no more than $10,000 for “religious purposes.”

Ask Rusty – My Husband Still Works; Must He Enroll in Medicare at age 65?

Dear Rusty: There is confusion between my husband and me on when he should file for Medicare. My husband will be 64 in July. While he does plan on continuing to work to age 67 and continuing with his employer’s insurance plan, I believe there’s a requirement that he file for a certain part of the Medicare retirement plan at age 65, otherwise there’s some penalty at some point in the future after retirement. There’s lots of confusion with this, and I’m hoping you can explain exactly what the process is in filing for Medicare at age 65 and after reaching full retirement age. Also, please comment on whether continuing with employers’ insurance is an option or if you should file for Medicare at age 65. Signed: Confused About Medicare

We all can help protect the children in our community, even if we’re not parents. Here are 5 ways you can do your part to support families and end abuse.

Be a good listener. Sometimes stressed parents just need to vent their frustrations and emotions and know someone cares.

Remind parents to practice self-care-that it’s OK to take a break and do something they enjoy.

Offer to babysit. Giving an overwhelmed parent a chance to get alone time is a great gift.

Be compassionate bystander. For example, if a child melts down at the store, nod or smile at eh parent to help lower his or her stress.

Donate your children’s used clothing, furniture, or toys to another family. It’s a way to show support and kindness.

To the editor:

Emergencies don’t take vacations. They don’t even take off nights and weekends.

But no matter when they strike, the compassionate actions of Louisiana Red Cross volunteers, financial donors and community partners help ensure that families and individuals never face crises alone.

The Red Cross mission wouldn’t be possible without these community heroes, and we are proud to honor their dedication in March during our annual Red Cross Month celebration.

Our generous donors enable us to give direct financial assistance when disaster strikes -- whether that’s one of the 147 disasters we responded to last year in Central Louisiana or hurricanes such as Ida or Laura that devastated our coast. Help can’t wait when people are left wondering where they’ll sleep or find their next meal, and community heroes ensure it doesn’t have to.