Expert Career Success Tips

Numerous brand-new developments could impact the work of military service members and their families and companies' compliance obligations in 2026. Modifications range from proposals to increase rewards for hiring military spouses to enhanced employment protections for service members while on task. Military spouse work chances and support stay a focus for pending legislation.

On November 20, 2025, Senators Expense 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 Improve the Work Opportunity Tax Credit Act (S. 3265/H. R. 6231) that would extend the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) to military spouses. The WOTC offers federal tax credits to companies that hire specific "American task seekers who have consistently dealt with barriers to work." That proposed legislation resembles the Military Spouse Hiring Act (H.R. 2033/S.1027), presented earlier in 2025.

apfsc.org

Frequent Relocations Frequent relocations continue to strain military families and can make it more tough for companies to hire and keep military spouses. Broadening the WOTC could create new incentives for companies to work with military partners and tap into this underutilized talent pool.

Advanced Retirement & Wealth Optimization

The U.S. Congress has not yet used up the STAY Act this year, however if it is eventually enacted, it might result in minimized PCS moves that might affect 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.

In January 2025, Congress enacted the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act (Dole Act), that included arrangements affecting USERRA enforcement and treatments. The Dole Act bolstered anti-retaliation protections and enabled plaintiffs declaring USERRA violations to seek minimum liquidated damages of $50,000 and lawyers' fees. Agencies and courts might continue to analyze and use the Dole Act's USERRA-related provisions.

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

Top priority actions include evaluating USERRA compliance programs and training, updating military leave and reemployment policies, confirming health-benefit continuation procedures, and aligning hiring and tax-credit screening procedures to rapidly capture brand-new incentives for military spouses. Ogletree Deakins' new Armed force Labor force Practice Group combines a group of legal representatives, a number of whom are veterans or currently serving in the Reserves or National Guard, who frequently advise on USERRA compliance, policy development, multistate application, and examinations and litigation.

All client-users have access to Photos and Updates. Premium subscribers have access to details, updated design templates, and other resources.

Accessing Specialized Financial Relief Resources

Tax day is. Have you filed with MilTax yet? Whether you're simply getting your papers together, struck a snag or need to declare an extension, we have actually got your back with totally free filing software application and tax pros prepared to assist.

For 10 years, Hiring Our Heroes has championed military spouse work, developing paths to opportunity and driving systemic change. As we commemorate this milestone, the 10th Yearly Military Spouse Work Summit will honor the tradition of progress while charting a bold course for the future. This year's top concentrates on Management & Tradition as we acknowledge the partners, companies, and supporters who have actually changed the employment landscape and prepared the next generation to prosper in a progressing labor force.

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

Military spouses face one of the most relentless employment gaps in the American labor force. According to data from the US Department of Labor, military spouse joblessness has hovered around 20% or higher recently. This far surpasses the national average, which normally falls listed below 5%. An interview with Sarah Roder, Director of Collaborations & Member Engagement at Army Mutual and a military spouse herself, shows how those obstacles play out in practice and how partners can browse them more efficiently.