RETAIN Act of 2026

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [S. 4375 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

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119th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 4375

To amend title 37, United States Code, to require the payment of the maximum amount of aviation incentive pay to aviation officers with more than 8 years of aviation service and to enhance the retention incentives available to aviation officers.

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IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

April 22, 2026

Mr. Budd (for himself, Mrs. Shaheen, Mr. King, Mr. Schmitt, Mr. Sheehy, Mr. Rounds, Mr. Cramer, and Mr. Kaine) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services

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A BILL

To amend title 37, United States Code, to require the payment of the maximum amount of aviation incentive pay to aviation officers with more than 8 years of aviation service and to enhance the retention incentives available to aviation officers.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Retention Enhancements for Tactical Aircrew INitiative Act of 2026'' or the ``RETAIN Act of 2026''.

SEC. 2. PAYMENT OF MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF AVIATION INCENTIVE PAY TO OFFICERS WITH MORE THAN 8 YEARS OF AVIATION SERVICE.

Section 334(c) of title 37, United States Code, is amended-- (1) in paragraph (1)(A), by inserting ``subject to paragraph (5),'' before ``aviation incentive''; and (2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: ``(5) Maximum amount for officers with more than 8 years of aviation service.--An officer who is entitled to aviation incentive pay under subsection (a) and has completed more than 8 years of aviation service shall receive the maximum monthly amount of such pay under paragraph (1)(A).''.

SEC. 3. ENHANCEMENT OF AIR FORCE RATED OFFICER RETENTION DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM.

(a) Eligible Officers.--Subsection (b)(2) of section 604 of the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (Public Law 117-263; 37 U.S.C. 301b note) is amended-- (1) by striking ``and not less than one year''; and (2) by striking ``under section 653 of title 10, United States Code''. (b) Written Agreements.--Subsection (c)(1) of such section is amended-- (1) by striking ``four years'' and inserting ``one year''; and (2) by striking ``under section 653 of title 10, United States Code''. (c) Retention Incentives.--Subsection (d) of such section is amended-- (1) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following new paragraph (1): ``(1) Flexibility of assignment and duty locations.--Under the demonstration program required under subsection (a), the Secretary shall offer to a rated officer described in subsection (b), to the maximum extent practicable (as determined by the Secretary)-- ``(A) assignment to the duty location of the rated officer's preference, including consecutive assignments to the same duty location; ``(B) the opportunity to perform a staff assignment that does not require flying remotely, such that the officer may avoid relocation or remain in active flying status; and ``(C) the opportunity to transition indefinitely to a non-combat aviation service position.''; (2) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following new paragraph (2): ``(2) Aviation bonus.-- ``(A) In general.--Under the demonstration program required under subsection (a), notwithstanding section 334(c) of title 37, United States Code, the Secretary may pay to a rated officer described in subsection (b) an aviation bonus not to exceed an average annual amount of $100,000. ``(B) Payment of maximum amount.--The Secretary-- ``(i) shall ensure the maximum amount payable under subparagraph (A) is offered to any rated officer described in subsection (b) who executes a written agreement under subsection (c) to remain on active duty for one or more years after the completion of the active duty service obligation of the officer; and ``(ii) may not vary the amount of an aviation bonus offered to an officer based on the active duty service commitment the officer has remaining at the time of offer.''; and (3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: ``(4) Aligning total force incentives.--The Secretary shall ensure that an offer under this subsection to a rated officer described in subsection (b) includes-- ``(A) contract length options equal to or shorter than contract length options offered by the Air National Guard and the Air Force Reserve; and ``(B) an aviation bonus under paragraph (2) in an amount that is equal to or exceeds the amounts offered by the Air National Guard and the Air Force Reserve.''. (d) Extension of Demonstration Project.--Subsection (g) of such section is amended by striking ``2028'' and inserting ``2031''. <all>