Expert Career Planning Tips for Veterans

Numerous brand-new developments might affect the work of military service members and their families and employers' compliance responsibilities in 2026. Changes range from propositions to increase incentives for employing military spouses to boosted employment protections for service members while on responsibility. Military partner employment opportunities and support remain a focus for pending legislation.

, introduced previously in 2025.

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Frequent Relocations Regular relocations continue to strain military households and can make it more difficult for employers to employ and maintain military partners. Broadening the WOTC could develop brand-new incentives for companies to work with military spouses and tap into this underutilized talent swimming pool.

Specialized Financial Relief Programs for Veterans

The U.S. Congress has not yet used up the STAY Act this year, however if it is eventually enacted, it might lead to reduced PCS relocations that might impact recruiting, retention, and remote-work policies for military partners. Military Re-Employment Protections Federal law currently offers civilian work leave defenses for veterans and service members who are involuntarily or willingly deployed for military service.

In January 2025, Congress enacted the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Advantages Improvement Act (Dole Act), that included arrangements affecting USERRA enforcement and solutions. The Dole Act boosted anti-retaliation securities and permitted plaintiffs declaring USERRA violations to seek minimum liquidated damages of $50,000 and lawyers' charges. Agencies and courts may continue to interpret and use 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) launched a program for companies to seek assistance for guaranteeing compliance. The Assistance and Support for Leaders in USERRA Training and Work (SALUTE) program is a chance for companies to request technical guidance on USERRA-related questions or particular issues in their labor force before the beginning of a DOL/VETS problem or suit.

Priority actions include reviewing USERRA compliance programs and training, upgrading military leave and reemployment policies, verifying health-benefit extension treatments, and aligning hiring and tax-credit screening processes to quickly capture brand-new rewards for military partners. Ogletree Deakins' new Armed force Labor force Practice Group combines a group of lawyers, a lot of whom are veterans or currently serving in the Reserves or National Guard, who routinely recommend on USERRA compliance, policy development, multistate execution, and examinations and litigation.

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Maximizing VA Benefit Claims in 2026

Tax day is. Have you filed with MilTax? Whether you're simply getting your documents together, hit a snag or require to submit for an extension, we've got your back with complimentary filing software and tax pros all set to assist.

For ten years, Hiring Our Heroes has actually championed military partner work, creating paths to opportunity and driving systemic modification. As we celebrate this milestone, the 10th Annual Armed Force Partner Employment Top will honor the tradition of progress while charting a vibrant course for the future. This year's top concentrates on Management & Legacy as we recognize the partners, companies, and advocates who have actually transformed the work landscape and prepared the next generation to grow in an evolving workforce.

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 partners deal with one of the most persistent work spaces in the American workforce. According to information from the US Department of Labor, military spouse unemployment has hovered around 20% or greater recently. This far surpasses the national average, which generally falls listed below 5%. An interview with Sarah Roder, Director of Collaborations & Member Engagement at Armed Forces Mutual and a military partner herself, highlights how those obstacles play out in practice and how partners can navigate them more efficiently.