Congress finalized the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), with a 3.8% increase in basic military pay for service members, effective January 1. At press time, the 2026 NDAA has not signed into law; it must pass both the House and Senate before being sent to the President’s desk for signature. The House of Representatives voted to pass the 2026 NDAA on December 10, with the Senate to vote (ideally) before the December 19 recess.

The compromise legislation also includes $900.6 billion for defense spending and mandates substantial improvements to health care and housing benefits. The 3.8% raise follows increases of 5.2% in 2024 and 4.6% in 2023.

The pay adjustment provides an E-4 with four years of service, for example, an increase of about $134 in monthly base pay. View the proposed pay increases for enlisted, officers, and warrant officers. Here are some of the other major provisions in the proposed 2026 NDAA.

The legislation directs the Secretary of Defense to establish a pilot program that allows service members and dependents to purchase fixed-amount supplemental insurance for cancer-related non-covered expenses.

Traumatic Brain Injury Prevention

The NDAA creates 10 new blast safety officer positions across the services. These specialists will oversee risk management and monitor overpressure exposure from weapons, working to prevent head injuries during training.

Military Housing Oversight

The bill includes multiple provisions intended to improve the quality and maintenance of military and family housing. Crucially, the act requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to review the privatized military family housing inventory to increase oversight.

The bill requires studies to improve the accuracy of the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH), a long-standing priority to ensure the allowance adequately covers market costs.

Active duty and activated Guard/Reserve members may now take their full 12 weeks of parental leave at any time within two years of a child’s birth or adoption. This extends the previous 12-month limit.

The bill raises the minimum monthly FSA from $250 to $300, providing more support for service members separated from dependents for 30 days or more.

The law authorizes a one-time $25,000 payment to U.S. merchant marines who performed qualified service during World War II and have not received benefits under the Servicemen’s Readjustment Act of 1944.

Education Access

The NDAA authorizes the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) to partner with higher education institutions, allowing DoDEA students access to postsecondary course credit through dual or concurrent enrollment programs.