Calculating Military Retirement Pay Benefits After a Virginia Divorce

If your ex-husband qualifies for nondisability retirement pay, you'll likely be eligible to receive a portion of it following your military divorce in Virginia. The military uses various methods to determine the amount of retirement pay that members receive, which impacts the benefits that you're awarded in your settlement or court order after your military divorce in Virginia.

If you're ex-husband began service on or after Aug. 1, 1986, he may choose to use the military's REDUX system to calculate his military retirement pay. The REDUX system can be difficult to understand and your Virginia divorce attorney can thoroughly explain any confusing concepts.

The military calculates nondisability retirement pay under the REDUX system using a 3-step process: 

• Figure the REDUX multiplier - the first step involves calculating a REDUX multiplier. The first 20 years of service are each worth 2.5% toward the multiplier, reduced by 1% for each year of service under 30 years.
• Multiply by base pay - the multiplier is then applied to the average of the highest 3 years of basic pay the service member received.
• Add a service increase - for every year the member served after 20 years of service, a 3.5% increase is awarded. 

For example, under the REDUX system, a member who served 25 years of credible service would have a multiplier of 57.5% (40% original multiplier plus 3.5% times 5 years of service above 20 years). The portion of that retirement pay that you are eligible for is contingent upon your specific separation agreement or court orders.

Obviously, the mathematical formulas that the military uses to calculate retirement pay can be extremely difficult to follow. Your Virginia divorce attorney can be a tremendously valuable asset, acting on your behalf and helping you navigate the military retirement pay system during your Virginia divorce.

Contacting a Virginia Divorce Attorney 

Throughout your military divorce proceedings, you'll naturally have a lot of questions specific to your circumstances, including those about the military retirement pay system. Get your questions answered by requesting one of our FREE divorce guides for women, or reserving your seat at our monthly divorce seminar - 757-425-5200.

The Virginia divorce attorneys at Hofheimer/Ferrebee are committed to fighting for your rights, assisting in child custody disputes and advocating that you receive everything you are entitled to and need in order to start your new life.