Expert Financial Planning Insights

Numerous new advancements might impact the work of military service members and their households and companies' compliance obligations in 2026. Changes vary from proposals to increase incentives for employing military partners to enhanced work protections for service members while on duty. Military spouse employment chances and support stay a focus for pending legislation.

, presented earlier in 2025.

apfsc.org

Frequent Movings Frequent relocations continue to strain military households and can make it more difficult for employers to work with and retain military partners. Broadening the WOTC might create new rewards for companies to hire military spouses and tap into this underutilized talent swimming pool.

Navigating Spouse Employment Growth

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

The Dole Act strengthened anti-retaliation defenses and enabled plaintiffs alleging USERRA offenses to seek minimum liquidated damages of $50,000 and lawyers' costs. Agencies and courts may continue to translate and use the Dole Act's USERRA-related arrangements.

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

Concern actions include examining USERRA compliance programs and training, updating military leave and reemployment policies, verifying health-benefit continuation procedures, and aligning hiring and tax-credit screening procedures to rapidly catch new rewards for military spouses. Ogletree Deakins' brand-new Military Workforce Practice Group brings together a group of legal representatives, many of whom are veterans or presently serving in the Reserves or National Guard, who routinely encourage on USERRA compliance, policy advancement, multistate implementation, and examinations and litigation.

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

How to Secure Financial Grants for Veterans

Tax day is. Have you submitted with MilTax? Whether you're just getting your documents together, hit a snag or require to apply for an extension, we've got your back with totally free filing software application and tax pros prepared to assist.

For ten years, Hiring Our Heroes has actually promoted military spouse employment, developing paths to chance and driving systemic change. As we commemorate this milestone, the 10th Yearly Military Spouse Work Summit will honor the legacy of development while charting a strong course for the future. This year's top focuses on Leadership & Tradition as we recognize the spouses, employers, and supporters who have actually changed the employment landscape and prepared the next generation to grow in an evolving workforce.

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

Military spouses face one of the most consistent employment gaps in the American workforce. According to information from the US Department of Labor, military partner unemployment has hovered around 20% or greater recently. This far goes beyond the nationwide average, which typically falls below 5%. An interview with Sarah Roder, Director of Partnerships & Member Engagement at Armed Forces Mutual and a military partner herself, shows how those difficulties play out in practice and how partners can navigate them more effectively.