S. 2416Senate115th Congress (2017-2019)In Committee

National Guard and Reserves Benefits Parity Act

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Updated April 15, 2026 at 8:16 PM UTC

The National Guard and Reserves Benefits Parity Act would make sure that orders for National Guard and Reserve members to serve on active duty under section 12304b are treated the same as other active‑duty orders when determining eligibility for certain benefits. It changes the law so these service members can qualify for the same retirement‑pay age reductions, high‑deployment allowances, and non‑reduction‑in‑pay protections as regular active‑duty personnel. The bill primarily affects members of the National Guard and Reserve components of the U.S. uniformed services.

Key Provisions

Amends the retirement‑pay eligibility rule (section 12731(f)(2)(B)(i)) to include service under section 12304b, allowing Guard and Reserve members to qualify for reduced retirement‑pay age.
Adds section 12304b to the high‑deployment allowance eligibility (section 436(a)(2)(C)(ii)), so Guard and Reserve members on active duty can receive the allowance for lengthy or numerous deployments.
Updates the non‑reduction‑in‑pay rule (section 5538(a)) to cover service under section 12304b, ensuring Guard and Reserve members retain their pay level while serving on active duty.

Legislative Activity

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1 earlier action

SenateIntro Referral Latest Action

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.

Armed Services Committee

February 12, 2018

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SenateIntro Referral

Introduced in Senate

February 12, 2018

SenateIntro Referral

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.

Armed Services Committee

February 12, 2018

Bill Text

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Introduced in SenateIssued February 12, 2018

115th CONGRESS

2d Session

S. 2416

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

February 12, 2018

Mr. Wicker (for himself and Mr. Coons) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services

A BILL

To amend titles 5, 10, and 37, United States Code, to ensure that an order to serve on active duty under section 12304b of title 10, United States Code, is treated the same as other orders to serve on active duty for determining the eligibility of members of the uniformed services for certain benefits.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the National Guard and Reserves Benefits Parity Act.

Consideration of service on active duty to reduce age for eligibility for retired pay for non-Regular service

Section 12731(f)(2)(B)(i) of title 10, United States Code, is amended by striking under a provision of law referred to in section 101(a)(13)(B) or under section 12301(d) and inserting under section 12301(d) or 12304b of this title or a provision of law referred to in section 101(a)(13)(B).

Eligibility of reserve component members for high-deployment allowance for lengthy or numerous deployments and frequent mobilizations

Section 436(a)(2)(C)(ii) of title 37, United States Code, is amended by inserting after under the first place it appears the following: section 12304b of title 10 or.

Eligibility of reserve component members for nonreduction in pay while serving in the uniformed services or National Guard

Section 5538(a) of title 5, United States Code, is amended in the matter preceding paragraph (1) by inserting after under the following: section 12304b of title 10 or.