Replacement of lost income: involuntarily mobilized reserve component members and members of the Space Force subject to extended and frequent active duty service

37 U.S.C. § 910

• Title: 37 — Pay and Allowances of the Uniformed Services
• Chapter: 17 — MISCELLANEOUS RIGHTS AND BENEFITS

Text

(a) Payment Required.—The Secretary concerned shall pay to an eligible member of a reserve component of the armed forces or of the Space Force an amount equal to the monthly active-duty income differential of the member, as determined by the Secretary, when the total monthly military compensation of the member is less than the average monthly civilian income of the member. The payments shall be made on a monthly basis.
(b) Eligibility.—(1) A member of a reserve component or the Space Force is entitled to a payment under this section for any full month of active duty of the member, when the total monthly military compensation of the member is less than the average monthly civilian income of the member, while the member is on active duty under an involuntary mobilization order, following the date on which the member—
(A) completes 547 continuous days of service on active duty under an involuntary mobilization order;
(B) completes 730 cumulative days on active duty under an involuntary mobilization order during the previous 1,826 days; or
(C) is involuntarily mobilized for service on active duty for a period of 180 days or more within 180 days after the date of the member's separation from a previous period of active duty for a period of 180 days or more.
(2) The entitlement of a member of a reserve component or the Space Force to a payment under this section also shall commence or, if previously commenced under paragraph (1), shall continue if the member—
(A) satisfies the required number of days on active duty specified in subparagraph (A) or (B) of paragraph (1) or was involuntarily mobilized as provided in subparagraph (C) of such paragraph; and
(B) is retained on active duty under subparagraph (A) or (B) of section 12301(h)(1) of title 10 because of an injury or illness incurred or aggravated while the member was assigned to duty in an area for which special pay under section 310, or paragraph (1) or (3) of section 351(a), of this title is available.
(3) A civilian employee of the Federal Government who is also a member of a reserve component or the Space Force is not entitled to a payment under this section for any period for which the employee is entitled to—
(A) a differential payment under section 5538 of title 5; or
(B) a comparable benefit under an administratively established program for civilian employees absent from a position of employment with the Federal Government in order to perform active duty in the uniformed services.
(c) Minimum and Maximum Payment Amounts.—(1) A payment under this section shall be made to a member for a month only if the amount of the monthly active-duty income differential for the month is greater than $50.
(2) Notwithstanding the amount determined under subsection (d) for a member for a month, the monthly payment to a member under this section may not exceed $3,000.
(d) Monthly Active-Duty Income Differential.—For purposes of this section, the monthly active-duty income differential of a member is the difference between—
(1) the average monthly civilian income of the member; and
(2) the member's total monthly military compensation.
(e) Definitions.—In this section:
(1) The term "average monthly civilian income", with respect to a member of a reserve component or the Space Force, means the amount, determined by the Secretary concerned, of the earned income of the member for either the 12 months preceding the member's mobilization or the 12 months covered by the member's most recent Federal income tax filing, divided by 12.
(2) The term "total monthly military compensation" means the amount, computed on a monthly basis, of the sum of—
(A) the amount of the regular military compensation (RMC) of the member; and
(B) any amount of special pay or incentive pay and any allowance (other than an allowance included in regular military compensation) that is paid to the member on a monthly basis.
(f) Regulations.—This section shall be administered under regulations to be prescribed by the Secretary of Defense.
(g) Termination.—No payment shall be made to a member under this section for months beginning after December 31, 2026, unless the entitlement of the member to payments under this section commenced on or before that date.

History

(Added Pub. L. 109–163, div. A, title VI, §614(a), Jan. 6, 2006, 119 Stat. 3292; amended Pub. L. 110–181, div. A, title VI, §604, Jan. 28, 2008, 122 Stat. 145; Pub. L. 110–417, [div. A], title VI, §605, Oct. 14, 2008, 122 Stat. 4483; Pub. L. 111–84, div. A, title VI, §611(7), Oct. 28, 2009, 123 Stat. 2352; Pub. L. 111–383, div. A, title VI, §§601(a), 611(7), Jan. 7, 2011, 124 Stat. 4235, 4236; Pub. L. 112–81, div. A, title VI, §611(7), Dec. 31, 2011, 125 Stat. 1449; Pub. L. 112–239, div. A, title VI, §611(8), Jan. 2, 2013, 126 Stat. 1776; Pub. L. 113–66, div. A, title VI, §611(8), Dec. 26, 2013, 127 Stat. 780; Pub. L. 113–291, div. A, title VI, §611(8), Dec. 19, 2014, 128 Stat. 3399; Pub. L. 114–92, div. A, title VI, §611(8), Nov. 25, 2015, 129 Stat. 838; Pub. L. 114–328, div. A, title VI, §§611(8), 618(h)(5), Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2157, 2161; Pub. L. 115–91, div. A, title VI, §611(8), Dec. 12, 2017, 131 Stat. 1421; Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title VI, §611(a), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1796; Pub. L. 116–92, div. A, title VI, §611(a), Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 1425; Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title VI, §611(a), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 3673; Pub. L. 117–81, div. A, title VI, §611(a), Dec. 27, 2021, 135 Stat. 1769; Pub. L. 117–263, div. A, title VI, §601(a), Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 2619; Pub. L. 118–31, div. A, title VI, §613(a), Dec. 22, 2023, 137 Stat. 291; Pub. L. 118–159, div. A, title VI, §611(a), Dec. 23, 2024, 138 Stat. 1932; Pub. L. 119–60, div. A, title VI, §§601(g)(2), 611(a), Dec. 18, 2025, 139 Stat. 905, 906.)

Editorial Notes

Editorial Notes

Amendments
2025—Pub. L. 119–60, §601(g)(2)(A), inserted "and members of the Space Force" after "reserve component members" in section catchline. Catchline text was editorially conformed to the style used in this title.
Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 119–60, §601(g)(2)(B), inserted "or of the Space Force" after "of the armed forces".
Subsec. (b)(1) to (3). Pub. L. 119–60, §601(g)(2)(C), inserted "or the Space Force" after "a reserve component" in introductory provisions.
Subsec. (e)(1). Pub. L. 119–60, §601(g)(2)(C), inserted "or the Space Force" after "a reserve component".
Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 119–60, §611(a), substituted "December 31, 2026" for "December 31, 2025".
2024—Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 118–159 substituted "December 31, 2025" for "December 31, 2024".
2023—Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 118–31 substituted "December 31, 2024" for "December 31, 2023".
2022—Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 117–263 substituted "December 31, 2023" for "December 31, 2022".
2021—Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 117–81 substituted "December 31, 2022" for "December 31, 2021".
Pub. L. 116–283 substituted "December 31, 2021" for "December 31, 2020".
2019—Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 116–92 substituted "December 31, 2020" for "December 31, 2019".
2018—Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 115–232 substituted "December 31, 2019" for "December 31, 2018".
2017—Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 115–91 substituted "December 31, 2018" for "December 31, 2017".
2016—Subsec. (b)(2)(B). Pub. L. 114–328, §618(h)(5), inserted ", or paragraph (1) or (3) of section 351(a)," after "section 310".
Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 114–328, §611(8), substituted "December 31, 2017" for "December 31, 2016".
2015—Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 114–92 substituted "December 31, 2016" for "December 31, 2015".
2014—Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 113–291 substituted "December 31, 2015" for "December 31, 2014".
2013—Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 113–66 substituted "December 31, 2014" for "December 31, 2013".
Pub. L. 112–239 substituted "December 31, 2013" for "December 31, 2012".
2011—Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 111–383, §601(a), added par. (3).
Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 112–81 substituted "December 31, 2012" for "December 31, 2011".
Pub. L. 111–383, §611(7), substituted "December 31, 2011" for "December 31, 2010".
2009—Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 111–84 substituted "December 31, 2010" for "December 31, 2009".
2008—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 110–181, §604(a), inserted before period at end of first sentence ", when the total monthly military compensation of the member is less than the average monthly civilian income of the member".
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 110–181, §604(b), amended subsec. (b) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "Subject to subsection (c), a reserve component member is entitled to a payment under this section for any full month of active duty of the member, while on active duty under an involuntary mobilization order, following the date on which the member—
"(1) completes 18 continuous months of service on active duty under such an order;
"(2) completes 24 months on active duty during the previous 60 months under such an order; or
"(3) is involuntarily mobilized for service on active duty for a period of 180 days or more within six months or less following the member's separation from a previous period of involuntary active duty for a period of 180 days or more."
Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 110–417 substituted "December 31, 2009" for "December 31, 2008".
Pub. L. 110–181, §604(c), amended subsec. (g) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "No payment shall be made under this section after December 31, 2008."

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2011 Amendment
Pub. L. 111–383, div. A, title VI, §601(b), Jan. 7, 2011, 124 Stat. 4235, provided that: "Subsection (b)(3) of section 910 of title 37, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), shall apply with respect to payments under such section for months beginning on or after the date of the enactment of this Act [Jan. 7, 2011]."

Effective Date
Pub. L. 109–163, div. A, title VI, §614(c), Jan. 6, 2006, 119 Stat. 3293, provided that: "Section 910 of title 37, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), may apply only with respect to months beginning after the end of the 180-day period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act [Jan. 6, 2006]."

Editorial Notes

Amendments
2025—Pub. L. 119–60, div. A, title VI, §§601(h)(1), 661(a), Dec. 18, 2025, 139 Stat. 905, 913, substituted "; members of the National Guard; members of the Space Force" for "and members of National Guard" in item 1002 and added item 1016. Amendments were made pursuant to operation of section 102 of Title 10, Armed Forces.
2021—Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title IX, §925(k)(1)(C), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 3829, which directed amendment of the analysis for chapter 15 by striking item 803 and inserting a new item 1005, was executed to the analysis for this chapter by adding item 1005 and striking out former item 1005 "Army and Air Force: prompt payments required", to reflect the probable intent of Congress.
2015—Pub. L. 114–92, div. A, title VI, §662(b), Nov. 25, 2015, 129 Stat. 859, added item 1015.
2006—Pub. L. 109–364, div. A, title X, §1046(b)(2), Oct. 17, 2006, 120 Stat. 2394, struck out item 1015 "Annual report on effects of recruitment and retention initiatives".
1999—Pub. L. 106–65, div. A, title VI, §673(a)(2), Oct. 5, 1999, 113 Stat. 674, added item 1015.
1997—Pub. L. 105–85, div. A, title VI, §604(a)(2), Nov. 18, 1997, 111 Stat. 1784, substituted "monthly basic pay" for "compensation" in item 1009.
1990—Pub. L. 101–510, div. A, title XIV, §1484(f)(1), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1717, revised chapter heading so as to appear in all capital letters.
1987—Pub. L. 100–26, §8(b)(2), Apr. 21, 1987, 101 Stat. 285, redesignated item 1013 "Payment date for pay and allowances" as 1014.
1986—Pub. L. 99–500, §101(c) [title IX, §9103(2)], Oct. 18, 1986, 100 Stat. 1783–82, 1783–118, and Pub. L. 99–591, §101(c) [title IX, §9103(2)], Oct. 30, 1986, 100 Stat. 3341–82, 3341–118, added item 1013, relating to payment date for pay and allowances.
Pub. L. 99–399, title VIII, §806(e)(2), Aug. 27, 1986, 100 Stat. 889, added item 1013, relating to payment of compensation for victims of terrorism.
1985—Pub. L. 99–145, title XIII, §1303(b)(13)(C), Nov. 8, 1985, 99 Stat. 741, inserted ": pay of enlisted members of the National Guard" in item 1012.
1982—Pub. L. 97–258, §2(i)(2)(A), Sept. 13, 1982, 96 Stat. 1061, added item 1012.
1980—Pub. L. 96–513, title V, §§506(9), 516(21), Dec. 12, 1980, 94 Stat. 2919, 2939, added items 1010 and 1011 and substituted "Force:" for "Force;" in item 1005.
1974—Pub. L. 93–419, §4, Sept. 19, 1974, 88 Stat. 1152, added item 1009.
1965—Pub. L. 89–132, §2(b), Aug. 21, 1965, 79 Stat. 547, added item 1008.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Military Compensation Educational Campaign
Pub. L. 119–60, div. A, title VI, §664, Dec. 18, 2025, 139 Stat. 916, provided that:
"(a) Educational Campaign Required.—Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 18, 2025], the Secretary of Defense shall commence an educational campaign to improve the understanding and awareness of members of the Armed Forces and the families of such members with respect to the major components of monetary and nonmonetary compensation for such members.
"(b) Consistency With Compensation Review.—The Secretary shall carry out the educational campaign required by subsection (a) in a manner consistent with the recommendations contained in the report entitled 'The Fourteenth Quadrennial Review of Military Compensation' submitted to Congress in January 2025 pursuant to section 1008(b) of title 37, United States Code.
"(c) Minimum Time of Campaign.—The educational campaign required by subsection (a) shall be carried out for not less than one year.
"(d) Elements.—The educational campaign required by subsection (a) shall address—
"(1) the elements of regular military compensation (RMC), as defined in section 101(25) of title 37, United States Code;
"(2) special and incentive pays;
"(3) the calculation of retired pay for length of service;
"(4) educational assistance programs and benefits;
"(5) health care for members of the Armed Forces serving in active components and the families of such members;
"(6) nonmonetary benefits; and
"(7) any other matters relating to monetary or nonmonetary compesnation for members of the Armed Forces the Secretary considers appropriate.
"(e) Briefing.—
"(1) Implementation plan.—Not later than April 1, 2026, the Secretary of Defense shall provide to the congressional defense committees [Committees on Armed Services and Appropriations of the Senate and the House of Representatives] a briefing on the plan to implement this section.
"(2) Effectiveness.—Not later than 60 days after the completion of the educational campaign required by subsection (a), the Secretary of Defense shall provide to the congressional defense committees a briefing on the effectiveness of the educational campaign."