RETAIN Act of 2026

More pay for rated Air Force officers

If enacted, this bill would increase pay and retention options for rated Air Force officers. Officers with more than 8 years of aviation service who are eligible for aviation incentive pay would receive the highest monthly pay tier allowed today. The Air Force retention demonstration would allow an aviation bonus averaging up to $100,000 per year. The Secretary would have to offer the maximum bonus to any rated officer who signs to remain on active duty for one or more years after finishing their active-duty service obligation, and the bonus offer could not be reduced based on how much service the officer has left. The program would also aim to give more assignment flexibility, including preferred duty locations (including consecutive tours), staff jobs that avoid remote flying, and the option to move to non-combat aviation roles indefinitely. Written retention agreements could be as short as one year instead of four. The demonstration program’s end date would be extended from 2028 to 2031.