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37 U.S.C. § 354 — Special pay: 15-year career status bonus for members entering service on or after August 1, 1986
Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities
**(a) Availability of Bonus.—** The Secretary concerned shall pay a bonus under this section to an eligible career bonus member if the member—
(1) elects to receive the bonus under this section; and
(2) executes a written agreement (prescribed by the Secretary concerned) to remain continuously on active duty until the member has completed 20 years of active-duty service creditable under [section 1405 of title 10](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title10-section1405&num=0&edition=prelim).
**(b) Eligible Career Bonus Member Defined.—** In this section, the term “eligible career bonus member” means a member of a uniformed service serving on active duty who—
(1) first became a member on or after August 1, 1986; and
(2) has completed 15 years of active duty in the uniformed services (or has received notification under subsection (e) that the member is about to complete that duty).
**(c) Election Method.—** An election under subsection (a)(1) shall be made in such form and within such period as the Secretary concerned may prescribe. An election under that subsection is irrevocable.
**(d) Amount of Bonus; Payment.—**
(1) A bonus under this section shall be equal to $30,000.
(2) A member electing to receive the bonus under this section shall elect one of the following payment options:
(A) A single lump sum of $30,000.
(B) Two installments of $15,000 each.
(C) Three installments of $10,000 each.
(D) Four installments of $7,500 each.
(E) Five installments of $6,000 each.
(3) If a member elects installment payments under paragraph (2), the second installment (and subsequent installments, as applicable) shall be paid on the earlier of the following dates:
(A) The annual anniversary date of the payment of the first installment.
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Source file: Laws/federal/codes/united-states-code/title-37/section-354-special-pay-15-year-career-status-bonus-for-members-entering-service-on--840a8ac5e9.md
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Source location: Title 37, Chapter 5, § 354; chapter-005-special-and-incentive-pays.md
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**(a) Availability of Bonus.—** The Secretary concerned shall pay a bonus under this section to an eligible career bonus member if the member—
(1) elects to receive the bonus under this section; and
(2) executes a written agreement (prescribed by the Secretary concerned) to remain continuously on active duty until the member has completed 20 years of active-duty service creditable under [section 1405 of title 10](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title10-section1405&num=0&edition=prelim).
**(b) Eligible Career Bonus Member Defined.—** In this section, the term “eligible career bonus member” means a member of a uniformed service serving on active duty who—
(1) first became a member on or after August 1, 1986; and
(2) has completed 15 years of active duty in the uniformed services (or has received notification under subsection (e) that the member is about to complete that duty).
**(c) Election Method.—** An election under subsection (a)(1) shall be made in such form and within such period as the Secretary concerned may prescribe. An election under that subsection is irrevocable.
**(d) Amount of Bonus; Payment.—**
(1) A bonus under this section shall be equal to $30,000.
(2) A member electing to receive the bonus under this section shall elect one of the following payment options:
(A) A single lump sum of $30,000.
(B) Two installments of $15,000 each.
(C) Three installments of $10,000 each.
(D) Four installments of $7,500 each.
(E) Five installments of $6,000 each.
(3) If a member elects installment payments under paragraph (2), the second installment (and subsequent installments, as applicable) shall be paid on the earlier of the following dates:
(A) The annual anniversary date of the payment of the first installment.
(B) January 15 of each succeeding calendar year.
(4) The lump sum payment of the bonus, and the first installment payment in the case of members who elect to receive the bonus in installments, shall be paid to an eligible career bonus member not later than the first month that begins on or after the date that is 60 days after the date on which the Secretary concerned receives from the member the election required under subsection (a)(1) and the written agreement required under subsection (a)(2), if applicable.
**(e) Notification of Eligibility.—**
(1) The Secretary concerned shall transmit to each member who meets the definition of eligible career bonus member a written notification of the opportunity of the member to elect to receive a bonus under this section. The Secretary shall provide the notification not later than 180 days before the date on which the member will complete 15 years of active duty.
(2) The notification shall include the following:
(A) The procedures for electing to receive the bonus.
(B) An explanation of the effects under sections 1401a, 1409, and 1410 of title 10 that such an election has on the computation of any retired or retainer pay that the member may become eligible to receive.
**(f) Repayment.—**
(1) If a person paid a bonus under this section does not complete a period of active duty beginning on the date on which the election of the person under paragraph (1) of subsection (a) is received and ending on the date on which the person completes 20 years of active duty service as described in paragraph (2) of such subsection, the person shall be subject to the repayment provisions of [section 373 of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title37-section373&num=0&edition=prelim).
(2) If a person who is paid a bonus under this section subsequently makes an election described in [section 1409(b)(4)(B) of title 10](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title10-section1409/b/4/B&num=0&edition=prelim), the person shall repay any bonus payments received under this section in the same manner as repayments are made under [section 373 of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title37-section373&num=0&edition=prelim).
**(g) Sunset and Continuation of Payments.—**
(1) A Secretary concerned may not pay a new bonus under this section after December 31, 2017.
(2) Subject to subsection (f)(2), the Secretary concerned may continue to make payments for bonuses that were awarded under this section on or before the date specified in paragraph (1).
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Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities
**(a) Prohibition on Recomputation To Reflect Increases in Basic Pay.—** Unless otherwise specifically provided by law, the retired pay of a member or former member of an armed force may not be recomputed to reflect any increase in the rates of basic pay for members of the armed forces.
**(b) Cost-of-Living Adjustments Based on CPI Increases.—**
(1) **Increase required.—** — Effective on December 1 of each year, the Secretary of Defense shall increase the retired pay of members and former members entitled to that pay in accordance with paragraphs (2) and (3).
(2) **Percentage increase.—** — Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the Secretary shall increase the retired pay of each member and former member by the percent (adjusted to the nearest one-tenth of 1 percent) by which—
(A) the price index for the base quarter of that year, exceeds
(B) the base index.
(3) **Reduced percentage for certain post-august 1, 1986 members.—** — If the percent determined under paragraph (2) is greater than 1 percent, the Secretary shall increase the retired pay of each member and former member who first became a member on or after August 1, 1986, and has elected to receive a bonus under section 322 (as in effect before the enactment of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008) or [section 354 of title 37](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title37-section354&num=0&edition=prelim), by the difference between—
(A) the percent determined under paragraph (2); and
(B) 1 percent.
(4) **Special rule for paragraph (3).—** — If in any case in which an increase in retired pay that would otherwise be made under paragraph (3) is not made by reason of law (other than any provision of this section), then (unless otherwise provided
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Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities
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Source: U.S. Code supplied Markdown snapshot · 37 U.S.C. § 322
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Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities
**(a) In General.—** For the purposes of the computation of the years of service of a member of the armed forces under a provision of this title providing for such computation to be made under this section, the years of service of the member are computed by adding—
(1) his years of active service;
(2) the years of service, not included in clause (1), with which he was entitled to be credited on May 31, 1958, in computing his basic pay; and
(3) the years of service, not included in clause (1) or (2), with which he would be entitled to be credited under [section 12733 of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title10-section12733&num=0&edition=prelim) if he were entitled to retired pay under [section 12731 of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title10-section12731&num=0&edition=prelim).
**(b) Fractional Years of Service.—** In determining a member’s years of service under subsection (a)—
(1) each full month of service that is in addition to the number of full years of service creditable to the member shall be credited as 1⁄12 of a year; and
(2) any remaining fractional part of a month shall be disregarded.
**(c) Exclusion of Time Required To Be Made Up or Excluded.—**
(1) Time required to be made up by an enlisted member of the Army, Air Force, or Space Force under [section 972(a) of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title10-section972/a&num=0&edition=prelim), or required to be made up by an enlisted member of the Navy, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard under that section with respect to a period of time after October 5, 1994, may not be counted in determining years of service under subsection (a).
(2) [Section 972(b) of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/v
Source: Supplied U.S. Code snapshot — release unconfirmed · 10 U.S.C. § 1405
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Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities
**(a) Enlistment Incentive Program.—** The Secretary of Defense shall carry out an enlistment incentive program in accordance with this section under which a person who is a National Call to Service participant shall be entitled to one of the incentives specified in subsection (e). The program shall be carried out during the period ending on December 31, 2007, and may be carried out after that date.
**(b) National Call to Service Participant.—** In this section, the term “National Call to Service participant” means a person who has not previously served in the armed forces who enters into an original enlistment pursuant to a written agreement with the Secretary of a military department (in such form and manner as may be prescribed by that Secretary) under which the person agrees to perform a period of national service as specified in subsection (c).
**(c) National Service.—** The total period of national service to which a National Call to Service participant is obligated under the agreement under this section shall be specified in the agreement. Under the agreement, the participant shall—
(1) upon completion of initial entry training (as prescribed by the Secretary of Defense), serve on active duty in a military occupational specialty designated by the Secretary of Defense under subsection (d) for a period of 15 months;
(2) upon completion of the period of active duty specified in paragraph (1) and without a break in service, serve either (A) an additional period of active duty as determined by the Secretary of Defense, or (B) a period of 24 months in an active status in the Selected Reserve or the Space Force; and
(3) upon completion of the period of service specified in paragraph (2), and without a break in service, serve the remaining period of obligated servic
Source: Supplied U.S. Code snapshot — release unconfirmed · 10 U.S.C. § 510
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Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities
**(a)**
(1) An employee or Member may contribute to the Thrift Savings Fund in any pay period, pursuant to an election under subsection (b), an amount not to exceed the maximum percentage of such employee’s or Member’s basic pay for such pay period allowable under paragraph (2). Contributions under this subsection pursuant to such an election shall, with respect to each pay period for which such election remains in effect, be made in accordance with a program of regular contributions provided in regulations prescribed by the Executive Director.
(2) The maximum percentage allowable under this paragraph shall be determined in accordance with the following table: In the case of a pay period beginning in fiscal year:The maximum percentageallowable is: 200111 200212 200313 200414 200515 2006 or thereafter100.
(3) Notwithstanding any limitation under this subsection, an eligible participant (as defined by section 414(v) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986) may make such additional contributions to the Thrift Savings Fund as are permitted by such section 414(v) and regulations of the Executive Director consistent therewith.
**(b)**
(1)
(A)
(i) The Executive Director shall prescribe regulations under which employees and Members may make contributions under subsection (a), to modify the amount to be contributed under such subsection, or to terminate such contributions.
(ii) An election to make contributions under this paragraph—
(I) may be made at any time;
(II) shall take effect on the earliest date after the election that is administratively feasible; and
(III) shall remain in effect until modified or terminated.
(B) The amount to be contributed pursuant to an election under subparagraph (A) shall be the percentage of basic pay or amo
Source: Supplied U.S. Code snapshot — release unconfirmed · 5 U.S.C. § 8432
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Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities
**(a) Repayment and Termination.—** Except as provided in subsection (b), a member of the uniformed services who is paid a bonus, incentive pay, or similar benefit, the receipt of which is contingent upon the member’s satisfaction of certain service or eligibility requirements, shall repay to the United States any unearned portion of the bonus, incentive pay, or similar benefit if the member fails to satisfy any such service or eligibility requirement, and the member may not receive any unpaid amounts of the bonus, incentive pay, or similar benefit after the member fails to satisfy such service or eligibility requirement.
**(b) Exceptions.—**
(1) **Discretion to provide exception to termination and repayment requirements.—** — Pursuant to the regulations prescribed to administer this section, the Secretary concerned may grant an exception to the repayment requirement and requirement to terminate the payment of unpaid amounts of a bonus, incentive pay, or similar benefit if the Secretary concerned determines that the imposition of the repayment and termination requirements with regard to a member of the uniformed services would be contrary to a personnel policy or management objective, would be against equity and good conscience, or would be contrary to the best interests of the United States.
(2) **Special rule for deceased and disabled members.—**
(A) If a member of the uniformed services dies or is retired or separated with a combat-related disability, the Secretary concerned—
(i) shall not require repayment by the member or the member’s estate of the unearned portion of any bonus, incentive pay, or similar benefit previously paid to the member; and
(ii) shall require the payment to the member or the member’s estate of the remainder of any bonus, incen
Source: Supplied U.S. Code snapshot — release unconfirmed · 37 U.S.C. § 373
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Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities
**(a) Retired Pay Multiplier for Regular-Service Nondisability Retirement.—** In computing—
(1) the retired pay of a member of a uniformed service who is entitled to that pay under any provision of law other than—
(A) chapter 61 of this title (relating to retirement or separation for physical disability); or
(B) chapter 1223 of this title (relating to retirement for non-regular service); or
(2) the retainer pay of a member who is transferred to the Fleet Reserve or the Fleet Marine Corps Reserve under [section 8330 of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title10-section8330&num=0&edition=prelim),
the retired pay multiplier (or retainer pay multiplier) is the percentage determined under subsection (b).
**(b) Percentage.—**
(1) **General rule.—** — Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), the percentage to be used under subsection (a) is the product (stated as a percentage) of—
(A) 2½, and
(B) the member’s years of creditable service (as defined in subsection (c)).
(2) **Reduction applicable to certain new-retirement members with less than 30 years of service.—** — In the case of a member who first became a member of a uniformed service after July 31, 1986, has elected to receive a bonus under section 322 (as in effect before the enactment of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008) or [section 354 of title 37](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title37-section354&num=0&edition=prelim), has less than 30 years of creditable service, and is under the age of 62 at the time of retirement, the percentage determined under paragraph (1) shall be reduced by—
(A) 1 percentage point for each full year that the member’s years of creditable service are less than 30; and
(B) 1⁄12 of 1 pe
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Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities
In the case of a member or former member who first became a member of a uniformed service on or after August 1, 1986, who has elected to receive a bonus under section 322 (as in effect before the enactment of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008) or [section 354 of title 37](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title37-section354&num=0&edition=prelim), and who becomes entitled to retired pay before the age of 62, the retired pay of such member or former member shall be recomputed, effective on the first day of the first month beginning after the member or former member attains 62 years of age, so as to be the amount equal to the amount of retired pay to which the member or former member would be entitled on that date if—
(1) increases in the retired pay of the member or former member under [section 1401a(b) of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title10-section1401a/b&num=0&edition=prelim) had been computed as provided in paragraph (2) of that section (rather than under paragraph (3) of that section); and
(2) in the case of a member whose retired pay was subject to [section 1409(b)(2) of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title10-section1409/b/2&num=0&edition=prelim), no reduction in the member’s retired pay had been made under that section.
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Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities
Page 144
TITLE 37—PAY AND ALLOWANCES OF THE UNIFORMED
SERVICES
§ 354
title VI, § 614(9), Dec. 19, 2014, 128 Stat. 3401; Pub.
L. 114–92, div. A, title VI, § 614(9), Nov. 25, 2015,
129 Stat. 839; Pub. L. 114–328, div. A, title VI,
§ 614(9), Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2159; Pub. L.
115–91, div. A, title VI, § 614(9), Dec. 12, 2017, 131
Stat. 1422; Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title VI,
§ 611(d)(8), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1797; Pub. L.
116–92, div. A, title VI, § 611(d)(8), Dec. 20, 2019,
133 Stat. 1426; Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title VI,
§ 611(d)(8), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 3673; Pub. L.
117–81, div. A, title VI, § 611(d)(8), Dec. 27, 2021,
135 Stat. 1769; Pub. L. 117–263, div. A, title VI,
§§ 601(d)(8), 602(d), Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 2620;
Pub. L. 118–31, div. A, title VI, § 613(d)(8), Dec. 22,
2023, 137 Stat. 292; Pub. L. 118–159, div. A, title
VI, §§ 611(d)(8), 613, Dec. 23, 2024, 138 Stat. 1932,
1933.)
Editorial Notes
REFERENCES IN TEXT
Subsection (g)(2), referred to in subsec. (b)(2), was re-
designated subsec. (f)(2) by Pub. L. 111–84, div. A, title
VI, § 618(d)(1), Oct. 28, 2009, 123 Stat. 2356.
AMENDMENTS
2024—Subsec. (c)(2). Pub. L. 118–159, § 613, substituted
‘‘$55,000’’ for ‘‘$12,000’’.
Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 118–159, § 611(d)(8), substituted
‘‘December 31, 2025’’ for ‘‘December 31, 2024’’.
2023—Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 118–31 substituted ‘‘Decem-
ber 31, 2024’’ for ‘‘December 31, 2023’’.
2022—Subsec. (c)(1)(A). Pub. L. 117–263, § 602(d), sub-
stituted ‘‘$1,750’’ for ‘‘$1,000’’.
Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 117–263, § 601(d)(8), substituted
‘‘December 31, 2023’’ for ‘‘December 31, 2022’’.
2021—Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 117–81 substituted ‘‘Decem-
ber 31, 2022’’ for ‘‘December 31, 2021’’.
Pub. L. 116–283 substituted ‘‘December 31, 2021’’ for
‘‘December
Source: Supplied 2024 U.S. Code historical extraction · 37 U.S.C. § 354
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