Opinion

Dear Rusty: I am thoroughly confused. What do I need to do to continue receiving automatic Social Security deposits to my bank account, and maintain our Medicare and Supplement health insurance? 

My wife has received her SS deposit regularly on the 3rd Wednesday each month with automatic bank deposit for many years. I have received my SS deposit regularly the 4th Wednesday each month with automatic bank deposit also for many years. Can you please tell me what to do to continue receiving these automatic deposits? 

Easter, 2025, was a time like none other!

Before choirs proclaimed that He is risen, before church bells sounded around the world celebrating Jesus’ resurrection and before children skittered across lawns for multicolored eggs, I saw history’s greatest moment patterned in a quiet Fort Worth neighborhood.

It’s a place where tattered lives are transformed by Christ, these parolees who earlier chose the craggy streets of ungodly pursuits, inevitably crashing into barriers, their lives splintered...

A Franciscan priest, who made the long and dangerous trip from the New World in search of the mysterious “Lady in Blue,” arrived at a Spanish abbey on April 21, 1631. 

The padre was determined to find out for himself if the mother superior really was the phantom visitor that brought biblical teachings to the Indians of the American Southwest. 

Don’t ever mention falling through cracks in the presence of Rev. Jared Greer--unless you delight in seeing eyes roll, hair stand on end and bodily contortions with “rigors” followed shortly by “mortis.”

With three appearances on NBC’s American Ninja Warrior television show and a fourth segment to run at 7 p.m. (CST) on June 23, the former youth pastor is NOT one of the four warriors claiming a million dollars each for total victories over all obstacles during the show’s 17-year run.

Dear Rusty: My wife was born in July 1959, and her recent SS benefit estimate is $3,337 at her full retirement age, or $4,397 at age 70. She is presently employed full-time and intends to continue working until she is aged 70. She is wondering when the most financially advantageous time would be to draw her SS retirement. Signed: Planning Ahead 

A 23-year-old pianist from Kilgore gave sagging morale back home a much needed boost by winning first prize at the International Tchaikovsky competition on Apr. 12, 1958.

Van Cliburn was just what the doctor ordered for a country still down in the dumps over the Soviets’ Sputnik space spectacular six months earlier. With American morale lower than at anytime since Pearl Harbor, the curly-headed celebrity was Charles Lindbergh in a tuxedo.

Dear Rusty: I am going to be 67 in a few weeks and I plan on working for another year or two. According to Social Security, they count the best 35 years to come up with your benefit. 

I currently have 30 years, with 2024 and 2025 taxes yet to be filed. If I take my benefit now, will I get an upward adjustment after filing my taxes for those years, or do I need to wait to apply for SS until after filing my taxes to get credit for those years? Signed: Still Working 

They’re as predictable as frantic taxpayers working until the hours are few on April 14 to meet income tax filing deadlines the following midnight. A nomadic bunch, they show up following hailstorms, cell phones in hand with promises to examine roofs. Yep, an unexpected call from an unknown number.

“We just happen to be in the neighborhood, and wonder if you’d like a free assessment,” they say. Notice that they don’t say your neighborhood; truth to tell, they may be in neighborhoods several time zones away, implying that they’re about to ring your doorbell.

Dear Rusty: I will be 66 ½ in June and would like to discuss when would be the best time for me to start taking my social security benefits. I am still employed full time and don’t want to be penalized because of that. Please let me know what I need to do to set up an appointment with you. I got your information from the AMAC website, and I look forward to hearing from you. Signed: Ready to Claim