Advanced Military Retirement and Wealth Planning

A number of new developments might impact the employment of military service members and their households and employers' compliance commitments in 2026. Changes vary from proposals to increase incentives for working with military spouses to enhanced employment protections for service members while on duty. Military spouse employment chances and support remain a focus for pending legislation.

On November 20, 2025, Senators Costs Cassidy (R-LA) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH), and Representatives Steven Horsford (D-NV) and Lloyd Smucker (R-PA) presented an updated version of the Improve and Enhance the Work Chance Tax Credit Act (S. 3265/H. R. 6231) that would extend the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) to military spouses. The WOTC supplies federal tax credits to employers that hire particular "American task hunters who have consistently faced barriers to employment." That proposed legislation is comparable to the Armed force Spouse Hiring Act (H.R. 2033/S.1027), introduced earlier in 2025.

apfsc.org

Frequent Relocations Regular movings continue to strain military households and can make it more tough for employers to employ and retain military spouses. Broadening the WOTC could create brand-new incentives for companies to hire military partners and tap into this underutilized skill swimming pool.

Specialized Financial Assistance Programs for Veterans

The U.S. Congress has actually not yet used up the STAY Act this year, however if it is ultimately enacted, it could result in lowered PCS relocations that could impact recruiting, retention, and remote-work policies for military partners. Military Re-Employment Protections Federal law already provides civilian work leave protections for veterans and service members who are involuntarily or voluntarily released for military service.

The Dole Act bolstered anti-retaliation securities and permitted plaintiffs alleging USERRA infractions to seek minimum liquidated damages of $50,000 and attorneys' costs. Agencies and courts might continue to translate and apply the Dole Act's USERRA-related provisions.

New Company Resources In January 2025, the U.S. Department of Labor's Veterans' Employment and Training Service (DOL/VETS) introduced a program for companies to seek assistance for making sure compliance. The Assistance and Help for Leaders in USERRA Training and Employment (SALUTE) program is an opportunity for companies to request technical guidance on USERRA-related questions or particular concerns in their workforce before the onset of a DOL/VETS complaint or lawsuit.

Concern actions consist of examining USERRA compliance programs and training, upgrading military leave and reemployment policies, confirming health-benefit continuation procedures, and aligning hiring and tax-credit screening processes to quickly capture new incentives for military partners. Ogletree Deakins' new Armed force Labor force Practice Group combines a team of lawyers, a lot of whom are veterans or presently serving in the Reserves or National Guard, who routinely advise on USERRA compliance, policy development, multistate execution, and investigations and lawsuits.

Patton, Jr. cochair the group. In addition, the Ogletree Deakins Customer Portal covers brand-new laws and advancements in Armed force Leave. All client-users have access to Snapshots and Updates. Premium subscribers have access to information, updated design templates, and other resources. For more info on the Client Portal or a Customer Portal membership, please connect to .

Addressing Spouse Career Gaps 2026

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For 10 years, Hiring Our Heroes has actually promoted military partner work, creating paths to opportunity and driving systemic change. As we celebrate this milestone, the 10th Annual Armed Force Spouse Employment Top will honor the legacy of progress while charting a vibrant course for the future. This year's summit concentrates on Leadership & Legacy as we acknowledge the partners, companies, and supporters who have transformed the work landscape and prepared the next generation to flourish in a progressing labor force.

Together, we will build on a years of service and success to produce a future where military partners lead with strength, vision, and function.

Military spouses deal with among the most relentless employment spaces in the American labor force. According to information from the United States Department of Labor, military spouse joblessness has hovered around 20% or higher in the last few years. This far exceeds the nationwide average, which normally falls below 5%. An interview with Sarah Roder, Director of Partnerships & Member Engagement at Army Mutual and a military partner herself, highlights how those difficulties play out in practice and how partners can browse them more efficiently.