The American Retirees Association and its Mission 

The American Retirees Association (ARA) is a non profit organization, chartered expressly to deal with the impact of the Uniformed Services Former Spouses Protection Act (USFSPA) (10 U.S.C. 1408 et seq.) on personnel of the uniformed services. We are approved by the Internal Revenue Service as a non profit organization, meaning that your dues and contributions are tax-deductible. Our personnel are active duty, retired, reserve and National Guard members of the uniformed services of both sexes. ARA’s officers and directors are all non-salaried volunteers.

The ARA’s headquarters are in California where administration, finances, newsletter production, etc., are handled in our Redlands office. Policy, legal and legislative matters are the responsibility of our National Capital office located in Arlington, Virginia.

Current Efforts Have Four Main Thrusts

• The first of these is in the legislative arena. This includes retaining the necessary government relations and legal expertise to persuade Congress, first, to amend the USFSPA to correct its inequities and, ultimately, to repeal it. These efforts are focused primarily on the Armed Services Committees of both bodies of Congress and the Military Personnel Subcommittee of the House Armed Services Committee.
• The second effort is directed to enjoining the support of the Department of Defense (DoD) by encouraging the DoD to brief its military personnel of the existence and potential impact of the USFSPA and to take the lead in proposing to Congress actions to cure its inequities.
• Third, the ARA coordinates its efforts with the national community of veterans organizations, an overwhelming majority of which support reform or repeal of the USFSPA and recognize the ARA as the leader of these efforts.
• Finally, the ARA cooperates with individuals and groups that challenge the USFSPA in the courts.

 All of these activities have, in the first place, the objective of relief for those uniformed services veterans already injured by this unfair law. Concomitantly, the intent is to reduce or remove the threat to future retirees. On a broader front, the ARA contends that BOTH members of any military marriage which ends in divorce should be treated fairly and equitably by the laws of the nation. We understand the polarized nature of USFSPA issues and emotional extremes engendered by divorce. We contend, however, that veterans of the uniformed services are entitled to the equal justice under law mandated by the constitution and that the fair and equitable treatment of both parties to a divorce action is both politically sensible and morally sound.

The key to success is strength in numbers. We urge you to join your fellow retirees, reservists and active duty members in the fight to cure the inequities of a shameful, unfair and discriminatory law.

The ARA publishes a book, “Divorce and the Military II” which is an excellent, authentic source of information for divorcing military couples and their attorneys. Copies may be obtained via ARA’s website or by calling our California office. ARA members receive a discount on the cover price.

Support the veterans organization committed exclusively to defending the rights of members of the uniformed services in divorce court. Join the ARA today and help spread the word that help is on the way for victims of the USFSPA.

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