What is a 20/20/20 spouse and why is this important?

A 20/20/20 spouse refers to someone who has been married to a military member for over 20 years - and where the 20 years of marriage overlaps with 20 years of military service.
Quite simply, the servicemember must have served for more than 20 years, your marriage must have been for more than 20 years - and there must be an overlap between the two (i.e. you were married for at least 20 years of the military service).
This is important because if you are such a spouse, then you are entitled to full military medical care, including TRICARE, for the rest of your life - as long as you remain unremarried and as long as you are not enrolled in an employer-sponsored health plan. This also means that you are entitled to Commissary and Exchange privileges as well!
A former spouse who qualifies for the above may apply for an ID card at a military ID card facility. You would need to fill out DD Form 1172 and bring a valid picture ID card, a copy of your marriage certificate, the court decree, a statement detailing te military spouse's service, and a statement documenting the fact that you are not remarried and that you are not participating in an employer-sponsored health plan.
All of the above is EXTREMELY important if your soon-to-be ex-husband is approaching 20 years of military service. You may wish to defer, delay or negotiate an agreement that provides that no divorce will occur before you qualify for 20/20/20 status.

Charles R. Hofheimer View lawyer's profile

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