Often unsung and underemployed, military spouses play a vital role in supporting service members while facing unique and persistent long-term career challenges of their own.

According to PMI U.S.’s newly released report, On the Home Front: Addressing the Needs of U.S. Military Spouses, more than half of active-duty military spouses cite employment as their biggest challenge in military life. Despite being well-educated, many find themselves in roles far beneath their qualifications, earning around 25 percent less on average than what they are qualified to earn. This employment gap not only affects their financial stability, but also their sense of purpose and professional identity.

J.B. Simko, chief corporate responsibility officer at PMI U.S., emphasizes the importance of listening to the voices of military families and acting on what they need most. “Military spouses are the backbone of their families, providing unwavering support to service members and veterans, often at a significant personal cost,” Simko says. “We listened to the voices of military families and advocacy organizations to understand how employers, policymakers, and other organizations can step up.”

That commitment isn’t just talk. PMI U.S. recently donated $100,000 to the University of Texas at Austin School of Social Work’s Veteran Spouse Network to support research and provide training, education, and career services to military spouses. The goal? To help them find meaningful work that reflects their skills and ambitions.

Elisa Borah, Ph.D., director of the Institute for Military and Veteran Family Wellness at UT Austin, noted the urgent need for action. “We have an opportunity to focus attention where it’s needed most. U.S. military spouses often end up in jobs that do not fully tap into their talents and capabilities,” she said.

Beyond employment, PMI U.S. is investing in broader efforts to support military families, having committed more than $3 million in 2024 to initiatives that include free legal services for veterans, expanded partnerships with organizations, such as the Elizabeth Dole Foundation and the Bob Woodruff Foundation, and targeted donations to nonprofits tackling housing, bereavement care, and emergency financial relief.

As part of its long-term commitment, PMI U.S. is building a roadmap to help other organizations step up as well, covering everything from navigating U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs benefits to easing the transition from military to civilian life. To learn more or download the full report, visit www.pmi.com/us/empoweringmilitaryspouses.