MyPay.gov Limited Access Account
Setting up a Limited Access Account for RAS copies
Did you know you can set up a Limited Access Account on the MyPay.gov website?
Per MyPay.gov:
“You now have the ability to create one Limited Access Account. The Limited Access Login ID and Password may be given to others to view your Pay Statements or Tax Statements without allowing them to change your Pay Account. They will gain access by logging into myPay using the Login ID and Password that you create on this page.”
MyPay.gov Limited Access Account Advantages in a Military Divorce
Reasons this may be useful to service members and former military spouses:
- Reduce Communication: If you find every interaction with your ex-spouse upsetting, you might use the limited access account feature to reduce your communication.
- RAS Copies: Some military divorce decrees require the service member to submit Retiree Account Statement (RAS) copies to the former spouse. ~ Service members using this limited access feature would save time by permitting the ex-spouse to login and print his or her own copy of the RAS.
- SBP Premium Reimbursement: Some military divorce decrees require the former military spouse to reimburse SBP premium costs. ~ Access to the RAS will provide the former military spouse with the SBP premium figure to compute an accurate reimbursement.
- Indemnification: Some military divorce decrees require reimbursement for any actions taken that impact the USFSPA award to the former military spouse (such as converting retired pay to VA Disability pay, etc.) ~ Access to the RAS will provide the information needed by both parties to ensure they use an accurate figure for reimbursement.
More details concerning situations of indemnification and SBP premium reimbursement can be found in the book Military Divorce Tips. You might also be interested in tax strategies surrounding divorce:
8 Comments
I would like to know if it is mandatory or By Law that I must submit a copy of my RAS to my Ex spouse. We had an agreement that the Portion of my Retirement will go to my son who is now 20 years old, and will go to him till he or I die. So my Ex spouse has nothing to do with it, so why do I need to send a copy of my RAS to her. My son lives on his own, and he should get a copy… ??? Yes or No??
What does your divorce decree say? That is what you have to do. Many decrees do not address providing RAS copies, and in such a case, you can choose to do whatever you like.
Bryan, this may be your experience with your ex but it is NOT always the case. I was in the military when I met my ex, I served 7 years, I took care of the kids while he worked nights and went TDY repeatedly. I didn’t get 8 hours of sleep every night! After I got out I got a regular job and still took the kids to a sitter so he could sleep never asked him to help with the housework or watching the kids, I took them with me everywhere when I was not at work. After 25 years of marriage and standing with him on every decision he made about “our” lives he decided he didn’t want to be married to me anymore (found someone else). So believe me I am not living “high on the hog” off of my half of the retirement pay and I EARNED IT!!
Just because there are SOME ex-spouses who do deserve it, it doesn’t mean that ALL do. But the problem is that ALL state courts “award (steal)” the hard-earned money of our service members and give it to some who…do….not…deserve…it just because they can and without even listening to any faults/facts. (cheating, lying, abusing their military spouse, etc.) She even made a comment of never lowering herself and join the military! Disgraceful!
In my opinion and in the least, the courts should make the award judgment based on “actual duty” that the ex-spouses performed for their country….and family….to prove that they actually deserve the money! But No, they are only lazy lawyers, glorified lawyers “judges” and ex-spouses who fight for each and every $ that they can get for their pocketbooks. Even to the extent that ex-military members suffer through welfare, bankruptcy and sub-par living while the ex-spouse lives “high on the hog”…three car garage, 300-400 thousand dollar home, nice cars…etc…. Search the internet, I promise that you will see the stories….and for every story of an ex-military spouse leaving their civilian spouse and goes off with someone else….there is the same story for the other side. No offense to you.
It is very difficult for me to understand this country sometimes but I know that IT is not right one bit! When I signed up for the Navy twenty years ago, I understood the point of pushing myself to accomplish an order or task even if I didn’t agree with it. That was trained into my head from Day 1. But when I signed that marriage certificate back in 1997, it had NO clause or small print that said that she would get a portion of MY retirement if and when we ever divorced. If it had, I would’ve NEVER married her. If YOU deserve the retirement for your part in taking care of the kids…that’s great! We did not have any children. Thank God! That is what I am thankful for…nothing else in this divorce.
I am not surprised though that courts are now giving the retirement away to ex-spouses (who do not deserve it) while they punish (off to jail) ex-members for not “agreeing” to the courts judgment. My lawyer said that “you either agree to the proposed decree NOW or end up going to court.” And that “the court would allow more money to be taken from you and given to your ex-wife for her legal fees while still allowing the retirement to go to her.” States are making these decisions based on previous court cases (mistakes). (Monkey see, Monkey do!) And calling it law…when there is nowhere in the USFSPA stating that the retirement WILL/SHALL be taken from the servicemember….only that it MAY be and left it open to state courts judgment!
Now as I write this I feel so ashamed of being in the military that I am not even having a retirement ceremony. I’ve thrown away all my awards and even avoid conversation about my time served. It hurts me deeply to know that the country that I’ve lived and almost died (a few times)for would do this to me. It’s almost to point of not wanting to be a citizen of a country that would turn its back on its military service members.