RETAIN Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Senator Budd, Ted [R-NC]
Introduced
Summary
Guarantees higher pay and new bonuses to keep Air Force aviators on active duty. Officers with more than eight years of aviation service receive the maximum monthly aviation incentive pay, and the bill creates a new aviation bonus plus more flexible retention and assignment options.
Show full summary
- Aviation officers with more than 8 years of aviation service are guaranteed the maximum monthly aviation incentive pay.
- Establishes a new aviation bonus capped at an average annual amount of $100,000 and requires the Secretary to offer the maximum to any eligible officer who signs a written agreement to remain on active duty for one or more years. The bonus amount may not be varied based on remaining service at the time of offer.
- Broadens the Rated Officer Retention Demonstration by reducing written agreement length from four years to one year, removing a Title 10 prerequisite, allowing officers to choose or stay at preferred duty locations or staff roles to avoid relocation, aligning contract lengths and bonus amounts with the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve, and extending the demonstration through 2031.
Personalized for You
How does this bill affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
More pay and retention options for Air Force pilots
If enacted, rated Air Force aviation officers in the retention demonstration would be eligible for an aviation bonus of up to an average $100,000 per year. The Secretary would have to offer the maximum bonus to any eligible officer who signs a written agreement to remain on active duty one or more years after completing their active-duty service obligation, and the bonus offer could not be varied based on how much service the officer has left. The bill would also require that officers with more than eight years of aviation service receive the maximum monthly aviation incentive pay. The demonstration would shorten the minimum written-agreement length from four years to one, require offers of preferred duty locations and non-relocating staff roles when practicable, and extend the demonstration through 2031.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Budd, Ted [R-NC]
NC • R
Cosponsors
Sen. Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH]
NH • D
Sponsored 4/22/2026
Sen. King, Angus S., Jr. [I-ME]
ME • I
Sponsored 4/22/2026
Sen. Schmitt, Eric [R-MO]
MO • R
Sponsored 4/22/2026
Sen. Sheehy, Tim [R-MT]
MT • R
Sponsored 4/22/2026
Mike Rounds
SD • R
Sponsored 4/22/2026
Sen. Cramer, Kevin [R-ND]
ND • R
Sponsored 4/22/2026
Sen. Kaine, Tim [D-VA]
VA • D
Sponsored 4/22/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov