
What Benefits Does a Military Spouse Get?
- Allowances. One benefit of being married in the military is getting allowances. This is one of the monetary military...
- Health Care. Marrying a soldier or once-soldier also entitles you to certain health care benefits. TRICARE is the...
- Education. As a spouse, you may be eligible for loans and scholarships from $500 to...
What are the benifits of being an army wife?
Life as a military spouse may sometimes be difficult, but the benefits far outweigh the challenges. Here are five benefits of being a military spouse: 1. You are a part of the military community. Undeniably, one of the most incredible parts of being a military spouse is being part of the larger military community.
What are the benefits of being married in the military?
Top Military Spouse Benefits
- Military Spouse Career Advancement Account (MyCAA) One of the most advantageous programs offered to military spouses is the MyCAA Scholarship. ...
- Family Service Members’ Group Life Insurance (FSGLI): Military spouses are eligible to receive up to $100,000 in life insurance coverage. ...
- Patriot Express. ...
- Transferred GI Bill® Benefits. ...
What to expect as a military wife?
You will become versatile. The most positive trait that you'll inherit while being a military spouse is the ability to be versatile. You'll be placed in all sorts of different challenges and obstacles in your milspouse journey, and you will find a way to adapt (I promise).
What are the benefits to Military Wives?
- Filing complaints
- Avoiding scams targeting military and veterans
- Improving money management skills

Do military wives get benefits?
Health and Child Care Benefits In addition to base pay, military spouses receive something similar to shared healthcare insurance. As a civilian or military spouse, you will have access to Tricare, which is the military's healthcare service.
How long do you have to be married to receive your spouse's military benefits?
20/20/20 Benefits To qualify, the couple must have been married for at least 20 years overlapping the member's military career. For more information, see the Military Health Benefits for Divorced Spouses article in the Military Divorce Guide.
How much do military wives get a month?
To answer your question, there is no stipend, no monetary benefits for military spouses. Service members can choose to give a monthly allotment to a spouse or whoever, but the money is deducted from their own pay. It does not come from the Department of the Army or Department of Defense.
How do military spouses get benefits?
Military Spouse BenefitsObtain a copy of your marriage certificate.Get a military identification card from the ID card facility.Memorize your spouse's Social Security number.Learn to read your spouse's leave and earnings statement.More items...•
How much do military wives get paid?
There is no military spouse pay or stipend, but the military offers a number of benefits to help service members and their families. Your first stop after the wedding should be the nearest military ID card issuing facility to enroll in DEERS, the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System.
Does my wife get half my military retirement?
The maximum amount of pension income an ex-spouse can receive is 50% of the military retirement pay. Once the order is filed with DFAS, it will take three months (90 days) for the direct payments to begin if the ex-spouse is already receiving their pension.
Do military spouses get free college?
Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society Education Assistance Program: The NMCRS Education Assistance Program offers interest-free loans and grants ranging from $500 to $3,000 per academic year to spouses of active-duty and retired service members for undergraduate programs at an accredited two- or four-year institution.
How do military wives make money?
You can do freelance work or consulting for companies all over the globe. As independent workers, military spouses can earn extra income, set their own hours, and work from anywhere in a variety of virtual positions. If you're not sure about self-employment, you may still be able to secure a position as an employee.
Does military pay for wedding?
Holding your wedding in a military chapel is usually free, and the chaplin is performing his military duties so you do not normally have to pay him a fee, either. Be sure to ask, however, about their wedding requirements.
What to know about being a military wife?
The BasicsAsk your spouse to enroll you in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS). ... Obtain a military identification card from the ID card facility. ... Establish power of attorney. ... Ask your spouse to list you as a beneficiary on his or her Serviceman's Group Life Insurance (SGLI) policy.More items...
Is a wife a dependent in the military?
Who can qualify as a military dependent? Certain family members, such as a spouse or child under 21, are automatically entitled to dependency status; a Servicemember need only complete 1172 and provide the necessary proof.
What happens if you marry someone in the military?
What Do I Need To Know? If you are in the United States (not assigned overseas), getting married as a member of the military is much the same as civilian marriages. You don't need advanced permission and there is no special military paperwork to fill out before the marriage.
What benefits do military spouses get after divorce?
After divorce, the former spouse is entitled to the Continued Health Care Benefit Program (CHCBP), which is the Tricare version of “COBRA” for three years. And as long as the spouse remains unmarried and was also awarded a share of the military retirement or SBP, the former spouse may remain on CHCBP for life.
Can my wife enroll herself in DEERS?
Retired and active-duty servicemembers are automatically signed up for DEERS but family members aren't so you'll have to ask your spouse to enroll you.
What are the benefits of being in the military?
The military can be a difficult lifestyle for a family, but it does come with some excellent benefits. Some of those are in the form of cash, and some are in the form of discounts. In addition to the bi-monthly paycheck, military service members receive benefits like money for housing, subsidized groceries and healthcare.
How to get military 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.
Why is MWR more affordable than off base?
The programs MWR funds and manages on base are often much more affordable than their off-base counterparts because the government subsidizes their costs. MWR manages most recreation on every base, including gyms, pools, bowling alleys, horse stables, event centers, golf courses, discounted equipment rentals and more.
What do military members get?
Every military service member receives at least a base pay. Most also receive a variety of allowances, special pays and bonuses de pending on things like deployment, paygrade and military job. For most married service members, those allowances include Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS) and Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH).
What is military shopping?
Military Shopping Benefits. Known as "non-monetary compensation," military shopping benefits help military families save money on the things they want or need. Most bases worldwide are home to a military commissary operated by a government organization called the Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA).
Do military bases have daycares?
Most military bases have a variety of full-time or hourly daycare center s. The costs of these are based on a family's total income, not just the service member's paygrade. Waiting lists at these centers can be long, so the military also allows families to use subsidized in-home daycares that have been officially approved. If you don't live near a base or there are no on-base daycare center spots available, the military will also subsidize the cost of care at certain off-base, civilian daycares that have become a part of their network.
Can you get military daycare if you don't live near a base?
If you don't live near a base or there are no on-base daycare center spots available, the military will also subsidize the cost of care at certain off-base, civilian daycares that have become a part of their network. Finding military childcare can feel difficult, but this tutorial can help you.
What to do with MWR?
No matter what season it is, it’s always time to check out your Morale, Welfare and Recreation program. Get tickets to an amusement park, participate in a fitness program or check out one of the libraries. Those are just a few benefits of MWR.
What is the military onesource number?
For immediate assistance or to access confidential help, call the Military OneSource toll free number at 800-342-9647. You can also contact us if you have any questions. Submit.
Is divorce a military divorce?
While divorce is large ly governed by state law and local procedures, there may be unique legal issues to navigate during a divorce due to military service. You can ease the time, expense and emotional strain of divorce by learning what to consider as you move through this process.
Do military spouse benefits add up?
Employee benefits can really add up when you look beyond the paycheck. As a military spouse, some benefits might be extremely attractive, and some might be useful for negotiating a little more. Visit the Spouse Education and Career Opportunities website for help navigating the world of employee benefits.
What are the benefits of being a military spouse?
3. Insurance . Military spouses get to enjoy many insurance benefits. They can obtain life insurance starting at 10,000$ and going as far as 100,000$ in coverage. To this, they also enjoy healthcare benefits that cover for their surgeries, scans, medicine that is received on base, and even births.
How to take advantage of military spouse benefits?
To take advantage of the military spouse benefits, first of all, you will have to register yourself with the DEERS – Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System – the personnel system of the military. Registration can be done by most of the service member’s family.
What is the military spouse counseling program?
6. Counseling and support. Being a military spouse can be difficult. Because of that, the MFLC (Military and Family Life Counseling Program) has made it their priority to offer military and military spouses on and off base counseling, without having any of it go on your record.
How much does a military spouse get from the MyCAA scholarship?
If you are looking to advance in your career and you want to get yourself a license, a certification, or an Associate’s degree, then this military spouse benefit is perfect for you. Military spouses can receive up to 4,000$ from the MyCAA Scholarship to pursue their education.
What is the marriage.com course?
If you feel disconnected or frustrated about the state of your marriage but want to avoid separation and/or divorce, the marriage.com course meant for married couples is an excellent resource to help you overcome the most challenging aspects of being married.
Can GI Bill benefits be transferred to spouse?
The transfer of the GI bill benefits. If your spouse has reached the needed time in his or her service, the GI Bill benefits obtained, can be transferred partially or totally to the spouse or the children. Children can use these benefits until they reach the age of 26.
Is it easy to get married to a spouse who works in the military?
Being married to a spouse who works in the military is by no means easy . On the contrary, this lifestyle comes with many challenges that one has to learn to overcome.
1. Being able to stand next to your hero
Yes! This heart warmer is at the TOP of my list. Our spouses have committed their lives to serving their country and then they come home to love on us. Having my personal hero for myself and our kids to look up to (especially in that uniform) is golden!
2. Healthcare is Included
I’ve known a few people who have tolerated physical pain instead of going to the doctor because they didn’t have insurance or couldn’t afford the bill. We don’t have that fear or concern. Just as healthcare is provided for the military members, their dependants are covered too.
3. You Can Get Marriage Counseling and Family Support
MFLC is the Military and Family Life Counseling Program. A couple of great things they offer are individual and/or marriage counseling without any of it going on your record. They don’t take notes and they can also meet you at an off base location if you choose to.
4. Free education
Based on your spouse’s rank, you may qualify for Military Spouse Career Advancement Account (MyCAA). And then there is the GI Bill which if our spouse hasn’t or isn’t planning to use they can transfer it to you or your children. But there are some timing restrictions that you will need to be aware of.
5. Military Discounts All Year Round
No matter the store or restaurant, there’s a very high chance that they give military families a little extra love in the form of a discount.
6. Housing & BAH
We get a house for FREE! Although not everyone chooses to live on base, it’s still AWESOME to know that you can. Most military bases offer housing.
7. World Travel
If you get the chance to be stationed overseas, take it! It will be a unique experience to live abroad. It’s pretty cool to be able to say my kids were born in Japan! Also there’s Overseas Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) that’s an additional compensation given to our spouses. Mo’ money!
Importance of Financial Planning by Elizabeth Colegrove
For the first part of this story I want to discuss the importance of financial planning and what it would mean to my family financially if my husband left tomorrow morning and tragically did not return. Since I am a numbers girl I want to include our personal numbers and story for the sake of this discussion.
What being a Widow Means: From the Eyes of a Widow by Theresa Jones
Author’s Note: My friend, Theresa Jones became a widow when her husband, Landon was killed in the line of duty. His chocked and chained helicopter was thrown over the deck of the USS William P Lawrence during a maneuver. The full story behind the mishap can be found here.