Strategic Retirement Growth for 2026

Several brand-new developments could affect the work of military service members and their families and companies' compliance obligations in 2026. Changes range from proposals to increase rewards for employing military spouses to improved employment securities for service members while on duty. Military spouse job opportunity and assistance remain a focus for pending legislation.

, presented earlier in 2025.

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Frequent Relocations Regular movings continue to strain military families and can make it more challenging for employers to work with and keep military spouses. Broadening the WOTC could create new incentives for employers to hire military partners and use this underutilized skill pool. In addition, the Supporting Tours Across Years (STAY) Act (H.R. 6146), presented in November 2025, looks for to restrict relocations of active-duty servicemembers.

Maximizing VA Entitlement Claims 2026

The U.S. Congress has not yet taken up the STAY Act this year, but if it is ultimately enacted, it could result in decreased PCS moves that could impact recruiting, retention, and remote-work policies for military spouses. Military Re-Employment Protections Federal law currently offers civilian work leave protections for veterans and service members who are involuntarily or willingly released for military service.

In January 2025, Congress enacted the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Advantages Enhancement Act (Dole Act), which consisted of provisions impacting USERRA enforcement and remedies. The Dole Act strengthened anti-retaliation defenses and allowed complainants declaring USERRA infractions to look for minimum liquidated damages of $50,000 and attorneys' costs. Agencies and courts might continue to translate and use the Dole Act's USERRA-related arrangements.

New Company Resources In January 2025, the U.S. Department of Labor's Veterans' Work and Training Service (DOL/VETS) released a program for companies to seek guidance for ensuring compliance. The Assistance and Help for Leaders in USERRA Training and Employment (SALUTE) program is an opportunity for companies to demand technical guidance on USERRA-related concerns or particular concerns in their labor force before the start of a DOL/VETS complaint or suit.

Priority actions include examining USERRA compliance programs and training, updating military leave and reemployment policies, confirming health-benefit continuation procedures, and lining up hiring and tax-credit screening processes to rapidly capture brand-new rewards for military spouses. Ogletree Deakins' brand-new Military Workforce Practice Group unites a group of attorneys, a number of whom are veterans or currently serving in the Reserves or National Guard, who routinely advise on USERRA compliance, policy advancement, multistate application, and investigations and lawsuits.

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Strategic Pension Planning

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For 10 years, Employing Our Heroes has championed military spouse work, developing paths to chance and driving systemic change. As we commemorate this turning point, the 10th Yearly Armed Force Partner Work Summit will honor the legacy of progress while charting a strong course for the future. This year's top concentrates on Leadership & Tradition as we acknowledge the spouses, employers, and supporters who have actually changed the employment landscape and prepared the next generation to thrive in an evolving labor force.

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

Military partners deal with among the most persistent employment gaps in the American labor force. According to information from the US Department of Labor, military spouse joblessness has hovered around 20% or greater in the last few years. This far surpasses the national average, which usually falls below 5%. An interview with Sarah Roder, Director of Collaborations & Member Engagement at Army Mutual and a military spouse herself, illustrates how those challenges play out in practice and how partners can navigate them more efficiently.