If an unmarried member who elects former spouse coverage later acquires a spouse, what happens to the former spouse's coverage when the election is changed?

When an unmarried member who has opted for former spouse coverage later marries, the coverage for the former spouse ceases. This is because the benefits, which are intended to provide support for a former spouse, are replaced by coverage for the current spouse. In the context of military and retirement benefits, the system is designed to prioritize the current marital relationship. Therefore, upon acquiring a new spouse, the member must make a new election to cover the current spouse, leading to the termination of any benefits designated for the former spouse.

The rationale behind this policy is to ensure that the benefits and protections are appropriately allocated to the individual currently entitled to support, which in this scenario is the new spouse. This also aligns with the goals of the military benefits system to reflect current familial circumstances.