I have been in the military for over 20 years and have been married for 17 of those years and separated not legally but separated from my wife for 7 of those 17 years of marriage. Is there any rulings out there that are justifiable to a sense of not having the spouse receive half of a military members retirement benefits. This is the most lopsided ruling that there could ever be. Some current spouses even receive military retirement from former spouses that have been wounded in combat. Where is the fairness in that and what if any law discusses issues of this sort?

Check with your JAG office.

My understanding is that the spouse can reasonably expect 30% of your retirement. Why didn't you divorce her before you retired? It would have been more difficult for her to collect on your pension.