I have had to do this one. How it works is in the event you divorce, because you were married to him for 16 years, the court can divide all the marital property. However, for this to work for you, you must ensure you are the beneficiary on his Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP). If not , for some unknown reason, request for it doing your divorce and do not take NO for an answer. This is crucial because when he retires, he will get his retirement pay,you will get your portion. Now in the event he dies before you, your retirement pension will stop because he has died BUT you can continue to get paid monthly if you have his SBP. That's how you will be paid from that point on. If you DO NOT get the SBP you will not get anything once he dies. Now once he retires,as stated you said you went with him, this is when he makes and or seals the deal on his SBP. Let's say you didn't see or get any of this then because they will sometimes hide it, make sure your attorney request it during the divorce proceedings. If this happens, it will then be recorded on your divorce papers that you requested it and if awarded, it will then be in pursuant of a court order simply because he didn't give it to you, the court did. To get it hooked and sinkered, it must then be sent to, along with other required documents, to the Defense Financial And Accounting Services (DFAS) within one year of the date signed on your divorce decree. You would simply send the original copy of your divorce decree with a written letter to them stating that you were awarded beneficiary of retired military's Survivor Benefit Plan and you would like to effectuate a "deemed election" for former spouse coverage on member's SBP. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT!! They will write you back asap to inform you of the results. Good Luck.
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Re: Pension Survivor Benefits