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VIEWPOINT: NYS amends Fair Credit Reporting Act to Limit Use of Credit Reports in Employment
On Dec. 19, 2025, Gov. Kathy Hochul signed Senate Bill S03072 (the Amendment) into law, amending the New York State Fair Credit Reporting Act to restrict the use of consumer credit history for employment purposes. With this amendment, New York joins 10 other states and several major cities, including New York City, which have comparable […]
Ask Rusty: My Wife Believes She Can Get a Spousal Benefit While I’m Still Alive; Can She?
Dear Rusty: A friend of my wife told her, and she believes, that she could receive a Social Security (SS) benefit based on my SS benefit that I’m currently receiving while I’m still alive. I told her she could only get spousal survivor benefits. Is there any truth to what she now believes? Would you
Ask Rusty: Why Didn’t My Friend’s Wife Get All Her SS Immediately?
Dear Rusty: A friend told me about what he believes is a strange thing in the Social Security system. His wife reached her full retirement age (FRA) of 66 several years ago. She delayed filing for Social Security past her FRA and claimed on her 68th birthday in June of that year, exactly 2 years
VIEWPOINT: Expectations for the economy, monetary policy in 2026
You may have read that the words of the year for 2025 were phrases like “rage-bait,” “AI slop,” and, of course, “6-7.” I’d add a word of my own. In December, I gave a speech titled “Resilience.” I said then that despite all the uncertainty posed by trade policy and geopolitical events, the U.S. and
Ask Rusty: I’m on SSDI; Should I Switch to Regular Social Security?
Dear Rusty: Should I take my Social Security now at age 62, or wait until I am 65? I have been collecting Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) due to health issues and was curious if I should wait or claim my regular Social Security (SS) retirement benefits now. Signed: Disabled but Wondering Dear Disabled but
Viewpoint: Year-End Tax and Financial-Planning Strategies
The end of the year is nearly here, but there’s still time to take a closer look at your financial picture and make the most of tax-planning opportunities before the calendar turns to 2026. Thoughtful year-end planning can reduce your current tax bill, position you for long-term growth, and help ensure your wealth is transferred
Ask Rusty: Why Can’t I Get My SS Benefits?
Dear Rusty: I called the Social Security office, as well as went with my husband when he went to collect his Social Security. Because I work full-time (earning about $800 per week), the Social Security Administration (SSA) said I could not file for my Social Security (SS). Yet I seem to read articles all the
VIEWPOINT: Trump Accounts & Enhanced Childcare Benefits: Employer Considerations for 2026
As employers finalize 2026 benefits strategies, two major provisions of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) are poised to reshape how companies support working families. The first is the upcoming launch of Trump Accounts, a new federally backed Investment Retirement Account for children. The second is the significantly expanded Employer-Provided Childcare Credit, which will
VIEWPOINT: Economic resilience, the Fed’s dual mandate, and the road ahead
I’m going to talk to you [in this article] about the U.S. economy and how the Federal Reserve is working to achieve its dual mandate of maximum employment and price stability. I’ll also discuss recent actions by the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC), and I’ll give my economic outlook. Turning the Corner One of the
VIEWPOINT: Snowbirds Beware: The Ins & Outs of Nonresident Income & Estate Tax
It’s that time of year again, when snowbirds break out their suitcases and make plans to flee the Empire State for warmer weather. Anyone who has experienced New York winters can appreciate the desire to avoid the back-breaking shoveling, frozen eyelashes, and wind-burned cheeks of a typical New York January and February. While weather is
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