Opinion

Foul balls aren’t really the worst things in the world. Generally, unless they’re caught, at least one more swing is assured.

Texas legislators wrapped up the 89th session last week, passing more than 1,200 bills — 800 of which were sent to Gov. Greg Abbott in the last 10 days of the session, The Dallas Morning News reported.

Dear Rusty: My coffee conversations among a group of friends have resulted in several questions about Social Security: 1. What happens to the Social Security account of someone who dies before retirement age. What happens to that money and where does it end up?

The event is “brain-etched,” deeply embedded and validated by the calendar. It was May of 1962, all “heady stuff” for a one-year-out-ofcollege guy invited to make a commencement address.

For the next three weeks, there’ll be too much about me, even if I apologize in advance for citing personal experiences, but they’re the only kinds I’ve had. At their core will be remembrances of commencement ceremonies, mostly where I’ve been privileged to speak.

Dear Rusty: I’m a retired Navy veteran who is going to be turning 65 years old this year. My question is concerning mandatory Medicare sign-up requirements. Why do I have to sign up for Medicare coverage at 65 when I can’t start collecting full Social Security benefits until I turn 67? My Social Security benefits will not pay for my mandatory Medicare because I can’t start collecting full Social Security benefits until I’m 67!

The dust hasn’t quite settled on the 2025 legislative session, but here’s a sampling of bills already sent to Gov. Greg Abbott.

With the legislative session ending on Monday, June 2, lawmakers are scrambling to pass or kill bills, the Austin American- Statesman reported. Among the bills passed or likely to soon pass: • All handgun licenses issued in other states will be honored in Texas if, as expected, Gov.

It is that time again when hundreds of thousands of us can’t get the sounds of “Pomp and Circumstance” out of our heads, often whistling or humming the melody, not even wondering why. For the curious--and others in the majority who couldn’t care less--Englishman Edward Elgar’s 1901 march has long been the musical gold standard for graduation music.

Dear Rusty: I just turned 65 years old in February 2025. I need to sign up for Social Security but don’t even know where to start. Signed: Seeking Assistance Dear Seeking: It is fairly easy to sign up for your Social Security benefits, by either calling the Social Security Administration at 1.800.772.1213 or your local SS office, to make a telephone appointment to apply, or by completing your application for Social Security benefits online at www. ssa.gov/apply.