Anybody know about a federal law that says when a retiree dies their pension goes to the spouse they were married to for one year at the time they retired??

I was married for 15 years. We were divorced for 12 years, and then we remarried for 16 years. During the years we were divorced, my husband married another woman, was in an accident, and had to retire earlier than he expected.

He died last August and when I applied for his death benefits and pension, I was told I was entitled to his death benefits, but NOT his pension (which includes health care insurance) because of this law.

I have two marriage licenses, his divorce decree where his ex gives up all rights to his pension, annuities, etc., and a will naming me his sole beneficiary.  This documentation means nothing to the administrators of his pension fund.

I have been told by a lawyer (that I couldnt afford to hire anyway) that I have no legal recourse.

Any comments or suggestions?? I'm thinking we may not be the only ones who were unaware of this federal law.  It may not do me any good, but forewarned may be forearmed!  It might be a little harder for a pension plan to explain to a live retiree about this law than to just hit a grieving widow or widower with it after the fact of a retirees death.

I would love to know just where this law is to be found, WHO sponsored it, and the rational (if any) of enacting same.
As it is, I am left with a firm conviction that in this day and age, political intelligence and/or integrity is truly an
oxymoron!!  Contact me at    survivingspouse2011@yahoo.com.  Thanks for any comments, help, info!!