I urge Congress to take action to repeal or greatly modify the unfair “Uniformed Services Former Spouses Protection Act” (P.L. 97-252 and amendments.) Military members are the only U.S. citizens who have a separate divorce law which, in effect, awards for life a portion of the military member’s retirement pay to an ex-spouse regardless of fault or circumstances-or the duration of the marriage.
At a minimum, I urge Congress to support an immediate change to three aspects of this law. First, base any award of a portion of the member’s retirement pay on the member’s rank at the time of the divorce — not many years later when he or she actually retires. Second, terminate any award to an ex-spouse when the ex-spouse remarries. Finally, limit any award to a former spouse to no longer than the duration of the failed marriage. Military members should be treated like every other U.S. citizen with the award on a case-by-case basis-not an automatic award.
I urge Congress to introduce legislation to repeal or, at least, greatly modify this unfair law.
Master Sgt. Terry A. Razor, U.S. Air Force (Ret.)
Auburn
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