Pentagon to launch pilot program for service member sperm and egg freezing in September 2026

Published Aug 12, 08:44 PM UTC

The Pentagon will launch a three-year pilot program in September 2026 to reimburse active-duty service members for cryopreserving sperm or eggs before deployment to danger zones or extended separations from partners. The benefit, mandated by the fiscal 2025 National Defense Authorization Act, covers up to $500 per year for sperm retrieval and storage and up to $10,000 per year for egg preservation. Eligible troops include those receiving hazardous duty pay, expecting such orders within 120 days, or separated from a spouse or partner for 180 days or more. Service members can use military or civilian clinics and must submit reimbursement requests within 120 days. The program follows over a decade of advocacy by military families and fertility groups, and a previous 2016 Pentagon announcement that never materialized. The DoD will study the pilot's popularity, cost, feasibility, and impact on readiness.