Apparatus and methods store data in a non-volatile solid state memory device (100) according to a rate-compatible code, such as a rate-compatible convolutional code (RPCC). An example of such a memory device (100) is a flash memory device (100). Data can initially be block encoded (112) for error correction and detection. The block-coded data can be further convolutionally encoded (114). Convolutional-coded data can be punctured (116) and stored in the memory device (100). The puncturing decreases the amount of memory used to store the data. Depending on conditions, the amount of puncturing can vary from no puncturing to a relatively high amount of puncturing to vary the amount of additional error correction provided and memory used. The punctured data can be decoded (120, 122) when data is to be read from the memory device (100).