What happens if you get married in the military?

Regardless of where or who, once married, if the spouse is non-military, the military member can bring a copy of the certified marriage certificate to the Personnel Headquarters on the base to receive a dependent ID card for the spouse, and enroll the spouse in DEERS (Defense Eligibility Enrollment Reporting System).

Do you have to be a military spouse to get benefits?

Read on. First, make sure you can access your benefits. To receive any military benefits, military family members must be registered in the military’s personnel system, the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS), and receive a military ID card. To do that you need to be the service member’s spouse or child.

Who is the lawful surviving spouse of a US military member?

The member’s lawful surviving spouse. If there is no spouse, to the child or children of the member in equal shares, with the share of any deceased child to be distributed among the descendants of that child. If none of the above, to the parents of the member in equal shares or the surviving parent.

What is the amount of an annuity for an active duty spouse?

The initial annuity paid to a surviving spouse is equal to 55 percent of the retired pay to which the member would have been entitled based upon years of active service if retired on the date of death (if the member was retirement-eligible).

What happens when two service members from different service branches marry?

Service branch – When two service members from different service branches marry, the likelihood of being in the same duty station becomes even more complicated, because it depends on coordination across branches and assignment managers.

How long does a military spouse have to be married to a member of the military?

The military member has performed at least 20 years of service that is creditable in determining eligibility for retired pay (the member does not have to be retired from active duty). The former spouse was married to the member during at least 20 years of the member’s retirement-creditable service.

What are the rules for dual military spouses?

When you have two military members married to each other, the rules regarding Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) can get a little confusing. There is one general rule, but then there are all sorts of variations depending on variables. In general, dual military couples without dependents each receive single BAH.

Where can a military spouse file for divorce?

Military divorce laws allow service members and their spouses to file for divorce in: The state where the nonmilitary spouse resides. The state where the service member is currently stationed. The state where the service member claims legal residency. This state retains the power to divide the military pension.

What kind of healthcare does a military spouse get?

Military Spouse and Family Healthcare. Active-duty military families — regardless of which branch of service their spouse serves in — receive benefits through the military’s healthcare, which is called Tricare.