Every other year, the Office of Military Community and Family Policy conducts an official survey of spouses and military families. The only survey of its kind, it offers important insight into the lives of military families. In a previous study conducted by the Office of People Analytics within the US Department of Defense, the support of military spouses was determined to be an actual predictor of military retention. Such outcomes make surveys like this so important, since they have the potential to shed light on issues that make military life challenging as well as to gauge spousal support for servicemembers’ careers.  

The survey covers topics that include everything from spouse unemployment and education, PCS Moves, childcare, and deployment to spouse and child well-being, financial well-being, and satisfaction and retention. Conducted from January to May 2024, the survey results were published in May 2025.  

Survey Respondent Demographics  

2024 Survey respondents consisted of all service components and all enlisted pay grade spouses and officers’ spouses O1-O6. The majority of respondents were female (85%), more than half (63%) were ages 26-40, 78% were white, and 67% had children under 18 living at home. The majority of responding spouses lived off base (74%) and most had an education beyond high school.  

Sample Results: 

In the area of financial well-being, there were several notable results and trends: 

• 60% of respondent spouses described their financial situation as comfortable, a 10-percentage point drop from 2019 
• Compared to the survey results from 2019, a higher percentage of respondents described their financial situation as worse currently than 12 months ago 
• Since 2006, there has been a downward trend in the percentage of respondents who reported being comfortable with their financial situation  
• 73% of respondents reported that they are concerned the money they have or will save won’t last 
• Approximately 68% of spouses responded that to some degree they are just getting by financially  

The good news is the average Financial Well-Being Score of active-duty spouses was 56, slightly higher than the 2024 US average of 49, according to “Making Ends Meet in 2024,” a report published by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). The Financial Well-Being Score uses a scale from zero to 100.  

Using the Survey Results to Your Advantage 

Since feelings about financial insecurity can impact marriages, family life, mental health, and military careers and retention, it’s important to understand how to improve your financial well-being as a military spouse and family. Start by taking advantage of financial readiness programs available through military family support offices on every installation. In addition, the Department of Defense also offers support through the Office of Financial Readiness, and the Sen$e mobile app can provide you with tools and resources to help you with everything from basic financial knowledge to preparing for retirement and estate planning. 

We’re Here to Help  

Regardless of your career stage or rank, you’ll find financial solutions and education to support you throughout your financial readiness journey. Learn more about our life insurance options or get a quote now to start empowering your future finances today.