Sponsors (21)
The bill lets near‑retirement Coast Guard enlisted personnel finish 20 years and secure retirement and family stability, while increasing personnel costs for taxpayers and limiting management flexibility in force planning.
Coast Guard enlisted members within two years of retirement will be able to complete 20 years of service and qualify for retirement benefits rather than being separated early.
Coast Guard members with 18–20 years' credited service and their families gain short-term job and financial stability because the bill prevents involuntary transfer or separation for 2–3 years.
Taxpayers and the federal government will face higher personnel costs because keeping members on active duty longer increases pay and benefits obligations.
Coast Guard leadership and junior personnel may experience reduced management flexibility and delayed promotions because retention mandates constrain end-strength and force-composition decisions.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Prevents involuntary separation/denial of reenlistment for Coast Guard enlisted members close to 20 years’ service so they can reach retirement eligibility.
Requires the Coast Guard to retain certain enlisted members who are within two years of qualifying for retirement (20 years of service) or who have between 18 and 20 years of credited service. Regular enlisted members who are involuntarily selected for separation or denied reenlistment and are within two years of qualifying for retirement must be kept on active duty until they reach retirement eligibility, unless retired or discharged earlier under another law. Reserve enlisted members on active status with 18–20 years of service may not be involuntarily separated, denied reenlistment, or transferred out of active status without their consent for a limited period until they reach 20 years or specified anniversary dates.
Official title: To amend title 14, United States Code, to require the retention of certain enlisted members of the Coast Guard who have completed 18 or more, but less than 20, years of service, and for other purposes.
Introduced March 18, 2025 by Jennifer Kiggans · Last progress March 18, 2025