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The FY2022 NDAA Brings 12 Weeks of Paid Parental Leave

Military Parental Leave

The FY2022 National Defense Authorization Act to Provide More Parental Leave

The FY2022 National Defense Authorization Act is close to being passed by the Senate and signed into law by President Biden. The NDAA is what authorizes the funding levels as well as changing or adding benefits to help make sure the military has the training, equipment, and resources to carry out their missions. 

The Senate will vote on the NDAA on Wednesday, and once passed it will go to President Biden’s desk to be signed into law. The act passed the House on December 7th. 

NDAA Increasing Parental Leave to 12 Weeks

This FY2022 National Defense Authorization Act is for a total of $768 billion. The FY2022 NDAA will be increasing parental leave to 12 weeks for all service members. This will be for the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. 

This benefit is more in line with what is offered by many private companies, or federal agencies. This will help military retention rates and allow for a better experience when a new child comes into the family.

Currently, a military mom can receive 6 weeks of maternity leave with an additional 6 weeks for the family’s primary caregiver. The secondary caregiver receives between 2-3 weeks, depending on the branch. 

Bereavement Leave Now Added

In addition to 12 weeks of parental leave, the FY2022 NDAA will also create a new category of bereavement leave. It would allow service members to take up to 2 weeks of leave in connection with the death of a spouse or child. 

It will also create a Basic Needs Allowance (BNA) to help certain military families. The service would identify families whose income and household size put them below 130% of federal poverty guidelines. 

 

The FY2022 National Defense Authorization Act is also what allows for the 2.7% military pay raise in 2022

 

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About the author

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Julie Provost is a freelance writer, and blogger. She lives in Tennessee with her National Guard husband and three boys.