When can a former spouse receive benefits under the Military Retirement System?
The Military Retirement System will begin distributing benefits to the Former Spouse when the Member retires and begins receiving benefits. 31. Can the former spouse receive a lump sum payment from the Military? No. Benefits are only paid on a monthly basis. 32. How long will payments be made to the former spouse from the Military Retirement System? Benefits will paid by the Military to a former spouse for the lifetime of the member. Therefore, upon the member’s death, all payments to the former spouse will stop. However, if the former spouse was awarded a survivor benefit plan annuity (SBP), then upon the death of the member, the survivor annuity will become payable to the former spouse. Return to the Top 33. Can a member have more than one person listed as the beneficiary for the survivor benefit plan annuity (SBP)? No. Only one person can be designated as the beneficiary for the survivor benefit plan annuity. Therefore, only one person can receive the entire survivor benefit plan. I
