What military entitlements are allowed to the spouse after a divorce?

Married for almost 13 years now but the wife now wants a divorce. The entire marriage was during my military service. I am due to retire in just a few years now.





I know that once I am retired, she is entitled to half of my retirement pay. But what else? Will she be able to still have an ID card or access to medical/dental? If my wife also has custody of our kids, what entitlements are the kids allowed to receive? Thanks for any answers.|||She gets half of your retirement. Be happy in your second career.|||Wife gets NOTHING, children get an ID card (brown) if they are in DEERS and are your children. Stepchildren are not entitled to military benefits. The children also receive Tricare medical and you pay dental under United Concordia. Again wife gets NOTHING after you divorce. Half of BAH goes to the household which should not be confused as going to the wife. This is to support the household that house your kids which she has custody of. Do not forget to change your record of emergency data, too, as upon your death she gets EVERYTHING!. Even though she has been married to you 13 years, she is not entitled to your retirement regardless if she never remarries. Congress listened to military spouses forced to give their entitlement to spouses unworthy. You can offer it in the divorce proceedings and her lawyer can request it, but more likely it will be denied.|||Being a military retiree in the same boat, I'm always suspicious of these questions because I'm never sure if it's the servicemember asking the question, or the soon to ex- lurking and looking for bigger shovels with which to dig for gold.





So, assuming my cynicism is unfounded in this case, man to man, ignore what you have read here, and get thee straight your servicing PSB and start asking questions. Although you may not yet be eligible to retire, you also need to speak to your local RSO.





Run, do not walk, to an attorney SPECIALIZING in military divorces. The SJA will not represent you, although they can advise, and even refer you to a good attorney.





I highly suggest you start making phone calls as soon as you read this. You need to protect yourself, the sooner the better.|||the kids get all your benefits(tri-care) but i dont know about the wife. i know she gets them til your divorce is final.|||You have been married over 10 years which means she is entitled to half already.


You were screwed when you went past the 10 year mark.