The road from active-duty military to a successful civilian life is not easy. Employers who want to build a truly inclusive workplace can play an important role in supporting veteran employees, especially as they navigate new careers, financial responsibilities and legal challenges after leaving the military.
Each year, approximately 200,000 service members transition from active duty to civilian life. While many bring valuable skills, leadership experience and discipline to the workforce, the shift can still be overwhelming.
The challenges veterans face after military service
Trading a military career, community and way of life for a civilian one can be overwhelming, even when times are good. Moving into civilian employment means adapting to a new culture while managing responsibilities that were previously supported through the military – such as housing, health care, family needs and employment changes. When those pressures pile up, employees can face legal questions that impact their finances, stability and ability to stay focused at work.
Today, approximately 18 million U.S. adults are veterans, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Many are active in the civilian workforce – particularly post-9/11 veterans, nearly 80% of whom participate in the labor force.
Even so, employment doesn’t always translate into economic security. A 2024 Penn State University’s Veterans Metrics Initiative found that 60% of post-9/11 veterans report being underemployed, meaning their jobs don’t fully reflect their skills, education or leadership experience. Research consistently shows veterans experience underemployment at higher rates than non-veterans, often due to difficulties translating military experience into civilian roles. Which is why supportive benefits and accessible guidance matter.
Employment stress and the transition to civilian life
Fortunately, there are a number of organizations with programs that help veterans work through the job search process and more. Take the USO’s Pathfinder program, for example. Transition specialists work one-on-one with active service members, veterans and their spouses across the country to identify their personal and professional goals, develop an action plan, and connect them to resources that are the best fit for them. Those resources focus on:
- Employment
- Education
- Mentorship
- Increased access to relevant veteran’s benefits in their communities
Other organizations that bridge the gap between transitioning veterans and the business community include Fourblock and Hiring Our Heroes. These services help veterans better prepare for and find meaningful employment.
How employers can create a veteran-inclusive benefits strategy
A veteran-inclusive strategy doesn’t require a separate benefits program; it’s about making sure the benefits you already offer are easier to navigate and more relevant for veterans’ life moments. Brokers and employers can start with a few practical moves: make benefits education easy to find (especially during onboarding), promote financial well-being resources, and include benefits that help employees address time-sensitive issues before they become bigger problems.
Why legal benefits matter for veteran employees
Veterans, like any other employee, can also benefit from legal counsel to help with a wide range of life’s issues – from the happy moments to the more difficult ones – but some situations are more complex due to military-specific benefits, regulations and federal laws. Legal insurance makes it affordable for employees to get the legal help they need whenever they need it.
Common legal areas where veteran employees may need support include:
Home ownership and VA benefits
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) helps veterans with buying a home or refinancing a loan. They may qualify for loans at very favorable terms to build, improve or keep their current home. A legal professional can help an employee understand documents, avoid common pitfalls and address issues that can come up during the process (for example, title questions, contractor disputes or challenges with loan paperwork).
Debt and credit issues
Nearly 40% of veterans face constant stress over paying bills – and this rises to 51% among Gen Z and Millennial veterans. Additionally, 72% carry credit card debt, and 1/3 of those with credit card or personal loan debt owe $10,000 or more. Keep in mind that all debts are legal obligations. But not all debts are of equal priority. An attorney can explain the consequences of not paying each kind of debt and help set payment priorities. For those facing a lawsuit, repossession or foreclosure or even bankruptcy, an attorney can outline the options and guide them through the process.
Divorce and child support
Again, a lawyer can play a key role assisting a veteran who is going through this difficult time. State law and local procedures largely govern divorce, but some federal statutes and military regulations may also apply, depending on where they file. Considerations include how to divide military retirement benefits, the continuation of healthcare coverage and the impact of chronic mental health conditions, like PTSD, on child custody and visitation.
Estate planning
While no one likes to think about their own mortality, it’s critical to spell out end-of-life wishes to make it easier on those left behind. Complications can arise from veterans’ specific types of retirement benefits, insurance or other death benefits. Additionally, veterans can receive military funeral honors and be buried in a national veterans’ cemetery. A burial allowance could help pay for a veteran’s funeral expenses. A legal professional can help ensure documents are current and aligned with the employee’s wishes.
The road from active-duty military to a successful civilian life is not easy. What else can you do to thank veterans for their service and support them on their journey? Consider donating to the many worthy veterans’ organizations who welcome contributions from individuals and corporations alike.
Key takeaways
- Veteran-inclusive support is a retention and wellbeing strategy; small benefits-navigation improvements can have a meaningful impact.
- Pair external transition resources (like USO Pathfinder, FourBlock and Hiring Our Heroes) with internal benefits education and manager awareness.
- Consider benefits that help employees address real-life issues early; financial wellbeing tools and legal benefits can reduce stress that spills into work.
- Position legal benefits as practical support (not legal advice): access, affordability and confidence during major life moments.
Supporting veterans isn’t just a statement, it’s reflected in the day-to-day resources employees can actually use. For brokers and employers, a simple next step is to review your current benefits through a veteran’s lens: Where might an employee get stuck? What life events create the greatest distractions and most stress? Then make it easier to connect employees to the right help, whether that’s benefits education, community resources or legal support, so veterans (and all employees) can focus on building a stable civilian life and career.