I'm dealing with a very similar situation and this thread has been incredibly helpful! I was married to my first husband for 14 years, then remarried for about 3 years in my 40s. That second marriage ended 5 years ago and I've been single since. I'm 59 now and starting to think about my Social Security strategy. Reading through all these responses, it sounds like I should definitely be able to claim on my first ex-husband's record when I reach 62, despite that second marriage. He was in management and made good money, while my second ex had much lower earnings. One question I haven't seen addressed - does it matter if my first ex-husband has remarried? He got married again about 8 years ago. I'm assuming that doesn't affect my ability to claim on his record, but wanted to double-check since his new wife would presumably also be eligible for spousal benefits on his record. Also, has anyone here actually gone through the process of switching from their own benefit to an ex-spouse benefit after already filing? I'm wondering if it's better to wait and apply for the higher benefit from the start, or if you can easily adjust later if you find out the ex-spouse benefit would be better.

I'm a Social Security claims specialist and wanted to clarify a few key points for anyone reading this thread: 1. **Second marriages don't disqualify you** - As long as your second marriage ended (divorce or death) and you're currently unmarried, you can absolutely claim on your first ex-spouse's record if that marriage lasted 10+ years. 2. **Documentation you'll need** - Both marriage certificates, both divorce decrees, your birth certificate, and your ex's Social Security number if you have it (though SSA can look it up with his name and DOB). 3. **Timing strategy** - If you're thinking about claiming at 62-63, remember you'll face permanent reductions. At 62, you'll get about 75% of your full ex-spouse benefit. Might be worth running the numbers to see if working a bit longer makes financial sense. 4. **No notification to your ex** - Your claim won't affect his benefits or notify him in any way. It's completely independent. One thing I see people miss: you can actually file a "restricted application" strategy in some cases. I'd strongly recommend scheduling an appointment with your local SSA office to discuss all your options before making a final decision. They can run scenarios showing exactly what you'd receive under different claiming strategies.

One important point to add: even if you claim benefits on your first ex-spouse's record, it does NOT reduce their benefits or impact them in any way. Some people worry about this aspect, but your claim has zero effect on what your ex receives. Also, your ex doesn't need to be receiving benefits yet for you to claim on their record, though they must be eligible for benefits (i.e., be at least 62).

As someone who works in retirement planning, I want to emphasize a few critical points that haven't been fully addressed yet. First, make sure you understand the "deemed filing" rules - if you were born before 1954, you have more flexibility to claim spousal benefits first and switch to your own later. If born after 1954, you're generally stuck with whichever benefit you file for first until full retirement age. Second, consider that your current spouse's future earning potential might significantly impact the math - 8 more years of high earnings could potentially make their record more valuable than your first ex's. Third, there are potential impacts on survivor benefits to consider - if something happened to either spouse, which scenario leaves you better protected? The "strategic divorce" might make sense financially, but run detailed projections comparing all scenarios before making this major life decision.

Just wanted to add one more tip from my experience as a rep payee - when you go to set up those separate accounts, ask the bank about their "representative payee" account options specifically. Some banks have special account types designed for this purpose that make the annual reporting easier by automatically categorizing transactions. Also, if you're worried about keeping track of everything, most banks now offer free monthly statements via email, and you can even set up automatic transfers from the kids' accounts to your main account for their share of household expenses like rent and groceries. This creates a clear paper trail that SSA likes to see. The whole process really isn't as scary as it sounds - you're already taking care of your kids financially, this just formalizes it a bit. Good luck with everything!

I've been a representative payee for my disabled adult child for over 10 years, and while the situation is a bit different, the core responsibilities are the same. One thing I'd add to all the great advice here is to take photos of any major purchases you make for the kids using their benefits - things like school clothes, computer for schoolwork, medical expenses, etc. It's not required, but having visual documentation has been helpful when filling out those annual reports, especially when you're trying to remember what you spent months ago. Also, if either of your teenagers has any special needs or medical expenses, make sure to keep detailed records of those - SSA considers medical care a priority use of benefits. The learning curve is real, but you'll get the hang of it quickly. Just remember that as their parent, you're already making decisions in their best interest - being a rep payee just means documenting it a bit more formally.

As a newcomer to this community, I just wanted to add my voice to this incredibly helpful discussion! I'm in a very similar situation - I live about 25 minutes from an SSA office across the state line, but the nearest office in my own state is over an hour and a half away. I've been hesitating to schedule an appointment to discuss some questions about my Medicare enrollment because I wasn't sure if I could use the out-of-state office. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been such a relief - it's clear that not only is this allowed, but it's actually quite common for people in border areas! The professional confirmation about SSA operating as a unified federal system really sealed it for me. It's honestly frustrating that this basic policy isn't more clearly communicated on the SSA website, but I'm so grateful for communities like this where people share their real-world experiences. I'm calling the closer office tomorrow to finally get my Medicare questions sorted out. Thank you to everyone who took the time to share - this thread has become an amazing resource that's going to help so many people avoid unnecessary stress and long drives!

As a new member of this community, I wanted to thank everyone for this incredibly thorough and helpful discussion! I'm facing the exact same situation - living about 30 minutes from an SSA office in a neighboring state while my in-state office is nearly 2 hours away. I need to handle some paperwork related to changing my name after marriage, and I've been dreading that long drive. Reading through all these real-world experiences from community members who have successfully used cross-state offices has been so reassuring. The confirmation from Connor about SSA operating as a unified federal system really helped clarify why this policy makes sense. It's amazing how many people in border areas deal with this same confusion! I'm definitely calling the closer office this week to schedule my appointment. This thread should honestly be required reading for anyone living near state boundaries - you've all created such a valuable resource here!

I'm so sorry for your loss, Oliver. Reading through this entire thread has been both heartbreaking and inspiring - heartbreaking because of what you're going through, but inspiring to see how this community has come together to provide such comprehensive support and guidance. Everyone has already confirmed the answer to your original question - yes, survivor benefits absolutely do receive annual COLA increases just like all other Social Security benefits. But what's emerged from this conversation is so much more valuable than that simple answer. As someone who works in financial planning, I want to emphasize how fortunate you are to have discovered these claiming strategies before making any irreversible decisions. The ability to take one benefit early and switch to the other later is incredibly powerful for someone with your work history, and it's exactly the kind of nuanced information that the SSA website fails to communicate clearly. The action plan this community has developed for you is excellent: get those benefit estimates online first, contact your local Area Agency on Aging for free counseling, use the phone tips everyone shared to reach SSA, and then make informed decisions with real numbers. You have time to do this thoughtfully, which is such a gift. Your situation will undoubtedly help many others who find themselves facing similar circumstances. The combination of grief and complex financial decisions is overwhelming, but you've shown that reaching out for help leads to incredible support and practical solutions. Wishing you comfort and clarity as you move forward with these important decisions. This community will be here for you throughout the process.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Oliver. This has been such an incredibly helpful and comprehensive thread to read through. To answer your original question directly - yes, survivor benefits absolutely do receive annual COLA increases just like regular retirement benefits. Once you start receiving them, your monthly payment will increase each January based on the cost-of-living adjustment that SSA announces in October. What's truly remarkable about this discussion is how it's evolved from your basic COLA question into a masterclass on survivor benefit claiming strategies. The community has provided you with such valuable insights about the timing decisions you'll face, especially given your 30-year work history. I want to echo everyone's advice about not rushing these decisions. The ability to claim one benefit early and switch to the other later when it reaches maximum value is a powerful strategy that could make a significant difference in your lifetime Social Security income. Getting those actual benefit estimates through the online SSA account should be your first step - having real numbers will make everything clearer. The resources people have shared about Area Agencies on Aging and SHIP programs offering free counseling are gold. Sometimes having an expert walk you through the scenarios in person can clarify things that seem confusing on paper. Your thoughtfulness in planning ahead during such a difficult time shows real strength. Take comfort in knowing you have valuable options available and time to make these important decisions carefully. This community will be here to support you every step of the way.