Opinion ID: 1105873
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 10

Heading: whether the trial court erred in awarding barbara rennie a portion of frederick rennie's retirement income from the united states air force.

Text: ¶ 12. Frederick next contends that the trial court erred in awarding Barbara thirty-two percent of his retirement income from the United States Air Force. He asserts that in order for Barbara to receive a portion of this asset, she must prove by a preponderance of the evidence that she helped acquire the asset. He argues that Barbara made no contribution to the acquisition of his retirement benefits from the Air Force. ¶ 13. Military retirement benefits are considered personal property and as such are subject to equitable division in a divorce proceeding. Hemsley v. Hemsley, 639 So.2d 909, 914 (Miss.1994). We have defined marital property as any property or assets acquired during the course of the marriage. Hemsley, 639 So.2d at 915. In Hemsley, we noted that Mr. Hemsley's military retirement was accumulated during the course of his marriage and thus, was subject to equitable distribution. Id. at 913-14. Likewise, in the case sub judice at least part of Frederick's retirement was accumulated during his marriage to Barbara and therefore is subject to equitable distribution. ¶ 14. In Ferguson v. Ferguson, 639 So.2d 921, 928 (Miss.1994), we provided guidelines for chancellors to follow when dividing marital property. We directed chancellors to support their holdings with finding of fact and conclusions of law. Ferguson, 639 So.2d at 928. The guidelines were enumerated as follows: 1. Substantial Contribution to the accumulation of the property. Factors to be considered in determining contribution are as follows: a. Direct or indirect economic contribution to the acquisition of the property; b. Contribution to the stability and harmony of the marital and family relationships as measured by quality, quantity of time spent on family duties and duration of the marriage; and c. Contribution to the education, training or other accomplishments bearing on the earning power of the spouse accumulating assets. 2. The degree to which each spouse has expended, withdrawn or otherwise disposed of marital assets and any prior distribution of such assets by agreement, decree or otherwise. 3. The market value and the emotional value of the assets subject to distribution. 4. The value of assets not ordinarily, absent equitable factors to the contrary, subject to such distribution, such as property brought to the marriage by the parties and property acquired by inheritance or inter vivos gift by or to an individual spouse; 5. Tax and other economic consequences, and contractual or legal consequences to third parties, of the proposed distribution; 6. The extent to which property may, with equity to both parties, be utilized to eliminate periodic payments and other potential sources of future friction between the parties; 7. The needs of the parties for financial security with due regard to the combination of assets, income and earning capacity; and 8. Any other factor which in equity should be considered. Id. at 928. ¶ 15. Frederick asserts that Barbara did not show that she contributed financially or domestically to their household and that she made no direct or indirect contribution toward the acquisition of his retirement income. He further argues that the chancellor erred in not making any findings of fact as to whether Barbara contributed to Frederick's military income. ¶ 16. The chancellor could have made a more extensive finding of fact in the record. However, the record indicates that the chancellor followed Ferguson. First, the record reflects that Barbara moved five times in twelve years in order to further Frederick's military career. These moves reflect that Barbara was willing to contribute to the harmony and stability of the marriage as well as to Frederick's accomplishments. One of their moves was to be closer to the University of Southern Mississippi so that Frederick could obtain his college degree. This move was certainly in furtherance of Frederick's accomplishments and career. ¶ 17. The record is silent as to who performed the household duties the first twelve years of the Rennies' marriage. The record does indicate that Barbara did not work during these twelve years, so it is safe to assume that since Barbara stayed home, she was Heather's primary care-giver during these years. In 1984, when Frederick was stationed in Germany Barbara was Heather's primary care giver and she maintained the marital home for Frederick's return. Additionally, Barbara and Heather made two trips to Europe to visit Frederick. Clearly, Barbara was contributing to the stability and harmony of the marriage at this time. ¶ 18. In addition to maintaining the home while Frederick was in Germany, Barbara was also employed outside of the home. During Frederick's two years in Germany, Barbara contributed to the family income by running a bait shop with her mother. The record does not reflect Barbara's income from the bait shop or the amount of her income spent on household expenses. ¶ 19. Frederick's argument that Barbara is not entitled to his retirement focuses solely on his argument that she did nothing to contribute to his retirement. Frederick fails to realize that this court has previously held that even if the husband is bringing in the income, marriage is a 50/50 partnership and property acquired during the marriage is considered marital property regardless of the role played by each partner. Hemsley, 639 So.2d at 914. ¶ 20. Frederick also neglects to address any of the other Ferguson factors. Though most of the factors are not applicable to the case sub judice, factor number seven directs the chancellor to consider the parties' need for financial security in light of the combination of assets, income and earning capacity. The Rennies agreed that she would get the house in Long Beach and he would get all of their other property. When considering the income and earning capacity that Frederick and Barbara receive, we find that the chancellor made an equitable decision in awarding Barbara 32% of his retirement. Frederick's income is over three times that of Barbara's. His earning capacity is also greater because he has a college degree and Barbara does not. The chancellor did not award Barbara alimony, so a portion of Frederick's military retirement would be her only income besides the $900 a month that she earns working at the Grand Casino. ¶ 21. We also give weight to the fact that Barbara and Frederick were married for twenty-four years and for at least twelve of those years lived as man and wife. The chancellor noted that Frederick served in the Air Force for twenty-two years and that he and Barbara were married for fourteen of those years. Equity dictates that Barbara share in Frederick's retirement. Thus, we affirm the chancellor as to this issue.