BANGOR, Maine (AP) A pair of senators from northern New England thinks military families should have more access to employer-sponsored retirement plans.

Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine and Democratic Sen. Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire said the frequent relocation associated with military families makes it hard to save for retirement.

About a third of military service members go through a permanent change of station every year, and their spouses often have to put their own careers on hold.

The senators’ proposal would encourage small employers to provide spouses of military members with retirement plans.

The Military Spouse Retirement Security Act would give some employers a tax credit of up to $500 per year per military spouse.

Collins said the goal of the proposal is to give small businesses incentives “to provide military spouses with accelerated access to retirement plans and employer contributions.”