Military Pensions Explained: The 10-10 Rule, DFAS & High-36 | Lawyers Without Billboards S2 - Ep8

Military retirement benefits can be one of the most valuable — and most misunderstood — assets in a divorce.In this episode of Lawyers Without Billboards, Steve, Patty, Jimmy, and Alexa break down the fundamentals of military pensions, including the often-confused 10-10 Rule, how DFAS works, and what “High-36” really means.They explain how military retirement differs from private-sector pensions, why the 20-year “cliff vesting” rule matters, and what can go wrong when attorneys draft unclear or incorrect pension language in settlement agreements.Whether you're a service member, spouse, or attorney handling a military divorce, this episode provides practical insight into:• How military pensions are calculated • The difference between the old retirement system and the blended retirement system • What the 10-10 Rule actually does (and doesn’t do) • When DFAS will pay a former spouse directly • Common drafting mistakes that create major problems later • Why “pay me now or pay me later” applies to military pension divisionMilitary pension division is nuanced, technical, and full of traps for the unwary. Getting it right matters.⏱ Chapter Markers00:00 – Introduction 01:00 – What Is a Military Pension? 02:30 – Cliff Vesting: The 20-Year Rule 04:30 – Active Duty vs. Reserve Retirement 07:00 – How Military Pensions Are Calculated (High-36 Explained) 10:00 – The Blended Retirement System vs. the Old System 13:30 – The 10-10 Rule: What It Actually Means 17:30 – When DFAS Pays the Former Spouse Directly 20:00 – Common Drafting Mistakes in Military Divorce 24:00 – Offsetting the Pension Instead of Dividing It 27:00 – Why Military Pension Language Must Be Precise 28:30 – Closing Thoughts🔔 Subscribe for candid conversations about family law, relationships, and the legal system - without the billboards.🎙️ Hosts: Steve & Patty Shewmaker, Jimmy & Alexa Lewis 🎧 Watch here: https://youtu.be/qMYIukopyrc or listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and more.📩 Contact: [email protected]| (770) 939-1939🌐 Website: https://www.shewmakerandlewis.com🎧 Podcast Library: https://shewmakerandlewis.com/lawyers-without-billboards🎼 Music by Ben Hernandez – Dragonsong Productions🎥 Produced by: Bleeding Edge, Inc.🎬 Audio & Video Production: Rob Burgner📍 Recorded at: Shewmaker & Lewis, Atlanta, GA