In a military divorce, former spouses need clarity about what benefits continue after the marriage ends. The 20/20/20 rule addresses those questions in certain military divorce cases. In Connecticut cases, those questions often involve health care, retirement, and future finances.
When handling a military divorce, our Fairfield military divorce lawyer reviews service records, confirms whether the rule applies, and guides the case through federal benefit rules and Connecticut family law. Timing matters in these cases, and even small differences in dates can affect long-term results.
All About the 20/20/20 Rule: What It Covers, and What It Doesn’t
The 20/20/20 rule applies only to military divorces, and even then, it applies only in specific situations. It does not divide property or decide support. Instead, it determines whether a former spouse may continue receiving certain military benefits after divorce.
To qualify, the length of the marriage and the service member’s military service must line up in specific ways. All parts of the rule have to be met. Missing even one timing requirement usually ends eligibility.
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Breaking Down the Three ’20s’ in Military Divorce Benefits
Timing is a key part of the 20/20/20 rule. When all three timelines reach at least 20 years, a former spouse may qualify for continued military benefits after divorce. Military agencies use official records when applying these strict requirements.
Here’s what each “20” means:
- Twenty years of marriage: This measures how long the couple was legally married. This period is counted from the wedding date to the divorce date.
- Twenty years of military service: This refers to at least 20 years of qualifying military service shown in the service member’s official records.
- Twenty years of overlap: This looks at how many years the marriage and the military service existed at the same time.
When all three reach at least 20 years, the former spouse may qualify under the rule. Many people fall short on the overlap requirement, even after long marriages.
What Benefits May Continue Under the 20/20/20 Rule?
The 20/20/20 rule does not provide cash payments or divide marital property. Instead, it focuses on whether certain military benefits continue after a divorce becomes final. When a former spouse qualifies under the rule, access to specific benefits may remain in place.
Those benefits typically include:
- TRICARE health coverage: Whether a person qualifies depends on timing. Coverage may continue for some former spouses after divorce.
- Base privileges: Commissary, exchange, and morale facilities may remain available, depending on status.
- Military identification access: Identification requirements often change once the divorce is complete.
These benefits can carry long-term value, especially for spouses who relied on military health care during the marriage.
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What If the 20/20/20 Rule Does Not Apply?
Many people assume the rule applies automatically. In practice, that is rarely the case.
When the timing requirements are not met, military benefits usually end at divorce. In some situations, a short-term option known as the 20/20/15 rule may apply. The rule allows limited health care coverage for a brief period after divorce rather than long-term access to military benefits.
For spouses who fall short of the full 20-year overlap, another option may be available.
When the 20/20/20 Rule Falls Short: The 10-Year Rule
Sometimes, a former military spouse misses the full 20/20/20 rule. This may happen when the marriage and the service member’s career did not overlap long enough. In those cases, the federal government offers a more limited option known as the 10-year rule.
The 10-year rule applies only to health care coverage. It does not apply to other benefits such as commissary access or military IDs.
If a former spouse was married to the service member for at least 10 years and that period overlapped with at least 10 years of the service member’s military service, then the former spouse may keep TRICARE health coverage for a period after divorce.
Here’s how it works:
- Ten years of marriage: This counts how long the couple was legally married.
- Ten–year overlap: This measures the years the marriage and military service occurred at the same time.
Unlike the 20/20/20 rule, the 10-year rule does not provide lifetime access to military benefits. Instead, it may allow extended TRICARE coverage for a limited time after divorce. This option can be especially helpful for spouses who would lose health care coverage immediately without any rule in place.
Our Fairfield divorce lawyer will review your timelines and service documentation to see whether this alternative might work for you. Getting an early assessment from our firm can help shape negotiations and health care planning as the divorce moves forward.
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How the 20/20/20 Rule Fits Into a Connecticut Military Divorce
Military divorces in Connecticut move through the same court system as other family law cases. Even when one spouse is on active duty, the divorce itself is handled under Connecticut law.
The state court is responsible for decisions such as:
- Property division: The court decides how marital assets are divided.
- Retirement distribution: Military retirement may be addressed as part of the marital estate.
- Spousal support: Alimony is decided using Connecticut standards.
- Parenting arrangements: Custody and parenting time follow state law.
Military benefits follow a different set of rules. Federal law controls who may keep certain benefits after divorce and for how long. Keeping these two systems straight from the beginning helps avoid confusion as the case moves forward.
Military Retirement Pay and the 20/20/20 Rule
Military retirement pay causes frequent confusion in divorce cases. The 20/20/20 rule does not determine whether a former spouse receives a share of retirement pay.
Retirement division follows separate federal guidelines and Connecticut property laws. A former spouse may receive part of military retirement without qualifying under the 20/20/20 rule. The reverse can also be true.
Careful coordination keeps benefit eligibility and retirement division from being misunderstood or misapplied.
Our Military Divorce Lawyer Will Lead Your Case
Military divorce often comes down to questions about records, timelines, and how federal rules interact with state family law. Legal guidance helps keep those moving parts organized.
In cases like these, we:
- Find out how marriage dates and service dates line up and why overlap matters.
- Check the service member’s records to confirm the dates being used are accurate.
- Compare retirement paperwork with benefit rules to see what applies in this case.
- Look for places where benefit rules differ from what a court can decide.
- Stay in contact with military offices as forms and records are reviewed.
- Prepare for negotiations once the benefits eligibility limits are clear.
Our approach helps steady decisions and avoids last-minute surprises.
How Much Alimony Does a Military Wife in Connecticut Get?
People often ask about alimony in military divorces. The first thing to know is that state law doesn’t set a single dollar amount. Instead, Connecticut courts look at the same factors they use in all divorces, with a few notes that matter when a spouse served in the military.
Alimony (sometimes called spousal support) exists to help a lower-earning spouse maintain a reasonable standard of living after divorce. In a military context, that can take on added importance because military pay, retirement plans, housing allowances, and health care benefits all affect income and expenses.
Courts consider the following when deciding alimony:
- Earning ability: The court looks at each spouse’s job history, education, and ability to earn.
- Length of the marriage: Longer marriages often lead to longer or larger support awards.
- Age and health: A spouse who cannot work due to age or health may receive more support.
- Contributions to family life: Being a homemaker or supporting a military spouse’s career counts in this evaluation.
- Income differences: Military pay, allowances, and civilian income all factor into the calculation.
There isn’t a different alimony formula just because someone was in the military. That said, military incomes often include special pay or allowances — like Basic Allowance for Housing — that courts must understand before deciding support.
For example, non-taxable allowances may be treated differently from retirement pay that is taxable. We will present a clear picture of your household finances and how they compare. That way, the court can make a fair decision based on real numbers rather than guesswork.
Talk With Our Lawyer About the 20/20/20 Rule and Your Military Divorce Benefits
Federal benefit rules can overlap with Connecticut divorce law in military cases, which can make it harder to determine how benefits apply after the marriage ends. At Happy Even After, we help clients sort through how military divorce benefits work under the 20/20/20 rule and how those rules apply to their circumstances.
Our Fairfield family lawyers focus on careful planning, open communication, and practical solutions. With over 60 years of combined experience and a boutique approach to family law, our team helps families move forward with clarity and a plan.
For questions about military divorce and benefits in Connecticut, we offer private consultations where we can answer your questions and concerns. Your Peace is Our Purpose™, so we’re here for you. Contact us today.
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