Marriage & BAH: Financial Impact of Getting Married in the Military (2025)

Bottom Line Up Front: Getting married increases BAH by $600-$1,500/month (depending on rank and location). Junior enlisted see the biggest percentage increase. But marriage also affects taxes, SGLI, TSP beneficiaries, and healthcare. Don't marry for BAH alone — but if you're already planning to marry, understanding the financial impact helps you plan better.

BAH With-Dependents vs. Without-Dependents

The BAH Increase When You Marry

| Rank | Location | BAH Without Deps | BAH With Deps | Monthly Increase | Annual Increase | |---------|-------------|---------------------|------------------|---------------------|-------------------| | E-3 | San Diego, CA | $2,409 | $3,243 | +$834 | +$10,008 | | E-5 | San Antonio, TX | $1,497 | $1,893 | +$396 | +$4,752 | | E-7 | Norfolk, VA | $1,788 | $2,202 | +$414 | +$4,968 | | O-3 | DC Metro | $2,592 | $3,252 | +$660 | +$7,920 |

Key Insight: Junior enlisted (E-1 to E-4) get the BIGGEST percentage increase — often 30-50% more BAH.

When BAH Changes

Effective date: BAH changes the 1st of the month AFTER you update DEERS with marriage certificate

Example:

• Get married: June 15
• Update DEERS: June 20
• BAH increase: July 1
• You do NOT get prorated BAH for June

Action: Update DEERS immediately after marriage to avoid delaying BAH increase.

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Full Financial Impact of Marriage (Beyond BAH)

1. Housing Allowance (BAH)

Impact: +$400 to $1,500/month

Details:

• Switch from "without dependents" to "with dependents" rate
• Based on duty station ZIP code
• Tax-free income

2. Family Separation Allowance (FSA)

Impact: +$250/month (when deployed/TDY for 30+ days)

Details:

• Only paid if married or have dependents
• Single service members don't get FSA
• Kicks in automatically during deployment

3. Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI)

Impact: Can add spouse coverage

Details:

• Spouse SGLI: Up to $100,000 coverage
• Cost: $6-$10/month (depending on spouse age)
• Automatically makes spouse beneficiary (unless you change it)

4. TRICARE (Healthcare)

Impact: FREE healthcare for spouse

Details:

• Spouse gets TRICARE Prime (active duty) = $0 cost
• No premiums, no deductibles
• Comparable to $500-$1,000/month civilian health insurance value

5. Taxes

Impact: Married Filing Jointly often LOWERS taxes

Details:

• Standard deduction doubles ($29,200 in 2025)
• Lower tax brackets for combined income
• Especially beneficial if spouse doesn't work

Example:

• E-5 single: $48,000 taxable income → $5,200 tax
• E-5 married (non-working spouse): $48,000 taxable income → $3,800 tax
• Tax savings: $1,400/year

6. TSP Beneficiary

Impact: Spouse automatically becomes primary beneficiary

Details:

• Overrides any prior beneficiary designations
• Spouse gets TSP balance if you die
• Can change beneficiary, but spouse has rights to claim

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Military Spouse Benefits

1. ID Card & Base Access

• Full base privileges
• Commissary and Exchange shopping
• MWR (Morale, Welfare, Recreation) facilities
• Estimated savings: $200-$500/month on groceries

2. MyCAA (Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts)

• Up to $4,000 for education/certifications
• Only if service member is E-1 to E-5, W-1 to W-2, or O-1 to O-2
• Free career training worth $4,000

3. Military Spouse Preference (MSP)

• Priority hiring for federal jobs
• Similar to Veterans Preference
• Helps with PCS job searches

4. State Residency Relief (MSRRA)

• Spouse can claim service member's home state
• Avoid paying state income tax where stationed
• Tax savings: $0-$5,000/year (depending on state)

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Dual-Military Marriage (Both Are Active Duty)

BAH Rules for Dual-Military

Scenario 1: No kids

• BOTH get BAH without dependents
• Total household BAH: 2x BAH rate
• Often $4,000-$6,000/month combined

Scenario 2: With kids

• ONE gets BAH with dependents
• OTHER gets BAH without dependents
• Typically higher-ranking member claims dependents

Scenario 3: Co-located (same duty station)

• Can live together
• Pocket the difference if rent < combined BAH
• Often save $1,000-$2,000/month

Scenario 4: Geo-bachelor (different duty stations)

• Both get BAH
• Pay for TWO households
• Family Separation Allowance (+$250/month)
• Expensive but common

Join Spouse Program

• Request assignment to same location
• NOT guaranteed (mission needs first)
• Works better for common career fields
• Apply early (6-12 months before PCS)

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Common Marriage + BAH Scenarios

Scenario 1: Junior Enlisted Couple (Both E-3)

Before marriage:

• Both live in barracks = $0 BAH

After marriage:

• Must move out of barracks
• Both get BAH without dependents (if no kids)
• Combined BAH: $4,500-$6,000/month
• Rent apartment: $2,000/month
• Net gain: $2,500-$4,000/month

Scenario 2: E-5 Marries Civilian (No Kids)

Before marriage:

• BAH without dependents: $1,500/month

After marriage:

• BAH with dependents: $1,900/month
• Net gain: $400/month ($4,800/year)

Plus:

• Spouse gets free TRICARE (worth $6,000/year)
• Commissary savings ($2,400/year)
• Total benefit: ~$13,000/year

Scenario 3: O-3 Marries O-2 (Both Officers)

Before marriage:

• O-3 BAH: $2,500/month
• O-2 BAH: $2,200/month
• Combined: $4,700/month (if living separately)

After marriage (co-located):

• O-3 BAH with deps: $3,200/month
• O-2 BAH without deps: $2,200/month
• Combined: $5,400/month
• Rent: $3,000/month
• Net gain: $2,400/month to pocket

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The "Don't Marry for BAH" Reality Check

Why You Shouldn't Marry Just for BAH

Divorce is expensive:

• Legal fees: $5,000-$20,000
• Alimony (possible if married 10+ years)
• Division of TSP/retirement (if married during service)
• Child support (if kids involved)

Marriage is work:

• Deployments strain relationships
• PCS moves disrupt spouse careers
• Military lifestyle is demanding

BAH is taxable (indirectly):

• While BAH itself is tax-free, it doesn't increase your taxable income
• But divorce settlements CAN claim a portion of your income (including BAH)

Better reasons to marry:

• You love each other
• You're committed for life
• You want to build a family together

BAH should be a BONUS, not the reason.

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How to Update DEERS After Marriage

Step 1: Get Marriage Certificate

• Obtain certified copy (2-3 weeks after wedding)
• Need official copy with raised seal (not photocopy)

Step 2: Go to DEERS/ID Card Office

• Locations: Any military base
• Bring:
  • Marriage certificate (original)
  • Your military ID
  • Spouse's birth certificate
  • Spouse's Social Security card
  • Spouse's photo ID (driver's license)

Step 3: Enroll Spouse in DEERS

• They'll create DEERS profile
• Issue spouse's dependent ID card
• BAH updates automatically (effective next month)

Step 4: Verify BAH Update on LES

• Check next month's LES (Leave and Earnings Statement)
• BAH should show "with dependents" rate
• If not, contact finance office

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Tax Filing After Marriage

Married Filing Jointly vs. Married Filing Separately

Most military couples should file Jointly:

Pros:

• Lower tax rates
• Higher standard deduction ($29,200 in 2025)
• Qualify for more credits (Child Tax Credit, EITC)

Cons:

• Both liable for any tax debt
• Must combine incomes

Married Filing Separately (rare):

When to use:

• Spouse has major tax debt/liens
• Spouse has income-based student loan repayment
• Unusual income situations

Cons:

• Higher tax rates
• Lose many credits/deductions

Default: File Jointly unless you have specific reason not to.

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Common Mistakes

❌ Mistake #1: Not Updating DEERS Immediately

Reality: You delay BAH increase by 1-2 months.

Fix: Go to ID card office within 1 week of getting marriage certificate.

❌ Mistake #2: Thinking BAH Is "Extra Money"

Reality: BAH is for HOUSING. If you spend it all on rent, you have $0 left.

Fix: Find rent BELOW your BAH rate. Pocket the difference.

❌ Mistake #3: Not Updating SGLI Beneficiary

Reality: Your ex-girlfriend is still listed. She gets $400,000 if you die.

Fix: Update SGLI beneficiary to spouse via myPay or personnel office.

❌ Mistake #4: Assuming Dual-Military = Double BAH

Reality: If you have kids, only ONE of you gets "with dependents" rate.

Fix: Understand the dual-military BAH rules before assuming income.

❌ Mistake #5: Marrying in December

Reality: BAH doesn't increase until January 1st anyway (you lose 1-4 weeks of higher BAH).

Fix: If you're planning a winter wedding, consider early December or wait until January for tax/BAH timing.

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Action Steps

Before Marriage:

1. ✅ Understand BAH increase for your rank/location
2. ✅ Discuss finances with future spouse
3. ✅ Plan housing (on-base vs. off-base)

After Marriage (Within 1 Week):

1. ✅ Update DEERS (bring marriage certificate + spouse documents)
2. ✅ Get spouse ID card
3. ✅ Update SGLI beneficiary

After Marriage (Within 1 Month):

1. ✅ Verify BAH increase on LES
2. ✅ Enroll spouse in TRICARE
3. ✅ Add spouse to TSP beneficiary (if desired)
4. ✅ Update will/estate planning

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Related Guides

• Dual-Military Marriage: Co-Location & Benefits
• Military Divorce: What Happens to BAH, Retirement, TSP?
• State Residency for Military Spouses (MSRRA)

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Remember: Marriage is a life decision, not a financial transaction. But understanding the financial impact helps you plan housing, taxes, and family finances better. BAH is a nice bonus — not the reason to marry.