Expert Financial Planning Tips for 2026

Numerous new developments might affect the employment of military service members and their families and companies' compliance obligations in 2026. Modifications vary from proposals to increase incentives for employing military spouses to improved work defenses for service members while on duty. Military spouse job opportunity and assistance remain a focus for pending legislation.

, presented previously in 2025.

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Regular Relocations Frequent relocations continue to strain military families and can make it more difficult for employers to employ and keep military spouses. Broadening the WOTC might create brand-new incentives for companies to employ military partners and tap into this underutilized skill swimming pool.

What Are the Best Employment Options for Spouses ?

The U.S. Congress has actually not yet taken up the STAY Act this year, but if it is ultimately enacted, it could lead to lowered PCS relocations that might affect recruiting, retention, and remote-work policies for military partners. Military Re-Employment Protections Federal law currently supplies 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 Benefits Enhancement Act (Dole Act), which included arrangements affecting USERRA enforcement and remedies. The Dole Act boosted anti-retaliation protections and permitted plaintiffs declaring USERRA violations to seek minimum liquidated damages of $50,000 and attorneys' costs. Agencies and courts may continue to analyze and use the Dole Act's USERRA-related arrangements.

New Company Resources In January 2025, the U.S. Department of Labor's Veterans' Employment and Training Service (DOL/VETS) introduced a program for employers to seek guidance for ensuring compliance. The Support and Help for Leaders in USERRA Training and Employment (SALUTE) program is an opportunity for employers to demand technical assistance on USERRA-related questions or specific concerns in their workforce before the beginning of a DOL/VETS grievance or suit.

Concern actions consist of evaluating USERRA compliance programs and training, upgrading military leave and reemployment policies, confirming health-benefit extension treatments, and aligning hiring and tax-credit screening processes to rapidly catch brand-new incentives for military partners. Ogletree Deakins' brand-new Military Workforce Practice Group brings together a team of legal representatives, many of whom are veterans or currently serving in the Reserves or National Guard, who frequently encourage on USERRA compliance, policy advancement, multistate execution, and investigations and litigation.

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Comparing Benefit Options for Families

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For 10 years, Hiring Our Heroes has championed military spouse work, developing pathways to opportunity and driving systemic modification. As we commemorate this milestone, the 10th Annual Armed Force Spouse Employment Summit will honor the legacy of progress while charting a vibrant course for the future. This year's summit concentrates on Leadership & Tradition as we acknowledge the spouses, employers, and supporters who have changed the work landscape and prepared the next generation to flourish in a progressing workforce.

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

Military spouses deal with among the most persistent employment spaces in the American workforce. According to information from the United States Department of Labor, military spouse unemployment has hovered around 20% or greater in the last few years. This far surpasses the nationwide average, which normally falls listed below 5%. An interview with Sarah Roder, Director of Collaborations & Member Engagement at Armed Forces Mutual and a military partner herself, illustrates how those difficulties play out in practice and how spouses can navigate them better.