Comparing Top Benefit Options for Families

A number of new developments might impact the employment of military service members and their households and companies' compliance obligations in 2026. Modifications range from proposals to increase incentives for hiring military spouses to enhanced employment protections for service members while on duty. Military partner job opportunity and assistance stay a focus for pending legislation.

, introduced earlier in 2025.

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Regular Relocations Frequent movings continue to strain military families and can make it more challenging for companies to work with and keep military partners. Expanding the WOTC might create new rewards for employers to work with military spouses and tap into this underutilized talent swimming pool. In addition, the Supporting Tours Across Years (STAY) Act (H.R. 6146), introduced in November 2025, seeks to limit movings of active-duty servicemembers.

The Modern Outlook to Military Debt

The U.S. Congress has actually not yet taken up the STAY Act this year, but if it is ultimately enacted, it could result in reduced PCS moves that might impact recruiting, retention, and remote-work policies for military partners. Military Re-Employment Protections Federal law currently supplies civilian employment leave defenses 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 Benefits Enhancement Act (Dole Act), that included arrangements affecting USERRA enforcement and treatments. The Dole Act reinforced anti-retaliation defenses and allowed complainants alleging USERRA offenses to seek minimum liquidated damages of $50,000 and lawyers' costs. Agencies and courts might continue to interpret and use the Dole Act's USERRA-related provisions.

New Employer Resources In January 2025, the U.S. Department of Labor's Veterans' Work and Training Service (DOL/VETS) launched a program for employers to look for guidance for making sure compliance. The Support and Support for Leaders in USERRA Training and Employment (SALUTE) program is a chance for companies to request technical guidance on USERRA-related concerns or particular concerns in their labor force before the onset of a DOL/VETS problem or suit.

Priority actions include evaluating USERRA compliance programs and training, upgrading military leave and reemployment policies, verifying health-benefit continuation treatments, and lining up hiring and tax-credit screening processes to rapidly catch new incentives for military partners. Ogletree Deakins' brand-new Military Labor force Practice Group combines a team of legal representatives, numerous of whom are veterans or currently serving in the Reserves or National Guard, who frequently recommend on USERRA compliance, policy development, multistate application, and investigations and lawsuits.

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How to Secure Financial Grants for Veterans

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For 10 years, Employing Our Heroes has promoted military spouse work, developing pathways to opportunity and driving systemic modification. As we commemorate this turning point, the 10th Annual Military Partner Work Summit will honor the legacy of development while charting a vibrant course for the future. This year's summit focuses on Leadership & Tradition as we recognize the partners, companies, and advocates who have transformed the work landscape and prepared the next generation to flourish in a progressing workforce.

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

Military partners face one of the most consistent employment spaces in the American labor force., military partner joblessness has hovered around 20% or higher in current years.