Long-serving Air Force and Space Force veterans are suing to stop the Trump administration from from stripping them of hard-earned retirement benefits.

After dedicating more than 15 years of their lives to service, 17 Airmen have been forced out of the military because of the Trump administration’s ban on transgender servicemembers. Now, the Air Force reversed their promise of retirement – ripping away the financial support and benefits that they earned and their families were counting on.

These servicemembers will lose $1–2 million in lifetime benefits, jeopardizing their families’ economic security. The action also strips the Airmen and their families of access to TRICARE, the military health insurance program, which would have provided access to civilian health care providers beyond VA facilities.

Background:

In June 2025, the Air Force issued retirement orders for Airmen who were being forced out of the military because of the transgender ban. Just two months later, the Air Force reversed its decision. It informed the servicemembers they would be separated from the military without retirement benefits.

The Air Force rescinded the retirements without justification, disregarding its own policies and the promise it makes to those who serve. These earned benefits are part of the agreement made with servicemembers to honor their years of service and sacrifice, and address the particular financial challenges that military families experience.

On September 22, 2026 GLAD Law argued in federal court to hold the Trump administration accountable for paying out the retirement benefits. The Court denied the government’s motion to move the case out of federal court.

GLAD Law represents the plaintiffs alongside the National Center for LGBTQ Rights and pro-bono counsel from Stapleton Segal Cochran LLC and The Law Office of Jeremy Spiegel.

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