Military Spouses: Life Insurance Options And Entitlements

Military spouses and dependent children of service members covered under full-time Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI) are eligible for Family Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (FSGLI). This benefit provides up to a maximum of $100,000 of coverage for a spouse, not exceeding the service member's SGLI coverage, and $10,000 for each dependent child. Civilian spouses of service members with full-time SGLI are automatically covered under FSGLI, while military spouses married on or after January 2, 2013, need to be enrolled by the service member through the SGLI Online Enrollment System.

Spouses of service members are eligible for Family Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (FSGLI)

Spouses of service members are eligible for Family Servicemembers Group Life Insurance (FSGLI). This insurance provides coverage for the spouse and dependent children of service members who are covered under full-time Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI). FSGLI offers up to a maximum of $100,000 in coverage for a spouse, as long as it does not exceed the service member's SGLI coverage, and $10,000 for each dependent child. It is important to note that dependent children receive free coverage.

If you are a civilian spouse of a service member enrolled in full-time SGLI, you will automatically be insured under FSGLI, and the premium will be deducted from your service member's pay. However, if you are a military spouse married on or after January 2, 2013, you are not automatically covered, and your service member will need to enrol you through the SGLI Online Enrollment System (SOES).

The cost of coverage under FSGLI varies based on the amount of insurance coverage selected and the age of the spouse. The service member will be responsible for paying the premium, which will increase as the spouse ages. It is worth noting that the service member can make changes to spousal coverage, such as reducing, turning down, or cancelling it, through the SOES.

In the event of a family member's death, FSGLI can provide financial support to help cover the associated costs. This benefit can be especially valuable during a difficult time, allowing the family to focus on their well-being without worrying about financial burdens.

Civilian spouses are automatically insured under FSGLI

To be eligible for FSGLI, one of the following criteria must be met: the service member is on active duty and covered by full-time SGLI, or they are a member of the National Guard or Ready Reserve covered by full-time SGLI. Spouses of service members with SGLI coverage may qualify for FSGLI regardless of their own status, whether they are active duty, retired, or civilian.

In the case of civilian spouses, the insurance premium is automatically deducted from the service member's pay. However, if the military spouse was married on or after January 2, 2013, they are not automatically covered. In such cases, the service member needs to enrol their spouse through the SGLI Online Enrollment System (SOES). This system allows service members to manage their coverage and beneficiary information.

It's worth noting that service members can make changes to spousal coverage if needed. They can reduce, turn down, or cancel the coverage by submitting the necessary changes through the SOES. Additionally, the premium for spousal coverage increases as the spouse ages.

Military spouses married on/after Jan 2, 2013, aren't automatically covered

Military spouses who were married on or after January 2, 2013, are not automatically covered by Family Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (FSGLI). This is a different process from that of civilian spouses of service members, who are automatically insured under FSGLI if their partner is signed up for full-time Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI).

If you are a military spouse married on or after January 2, 2013, your service member will need to sign you up for FSGLI online through the SGLI Online Enrollment System (SOES). This can be accessed via Benefits, Life Insurance SOES- SGLI Online Enrollment System. Your service member can log in using their CAC or DS Logon as soon as they receive notice that they can start using SOES.

Your service member will pay a premium for your coverage, and this will increase as you age. The coverage amount is up to a maximum of $100,000, not exceeding your service member's SGLI coverage. If you are signed up as a spouse in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS), the FSGLI premium will be automatically deducted from your service member's pay. If you are not signed up in DEERS, your service member will still be responsible for premiums and back payments.

If you have spousal coverage and you want to reduce, turn down, or cancel it, your service member can submit your changes online through SOES.

Service members can enrol spouses through the SGLI Online Enrollment System

Military spouses can be enrolled in life insurance by their service member spouse through the SGLI Online Enrollment System (SOES). This system is for spouses of service members who are not already covered under the Family Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (FSGLI) program.

FSGLI is a program that offers coverage for the spouse and dependent children of service members who are covered under full-time SGLI. Civilian spouses of service members signed up for full-time SGLI are automatically covered under FSGLI, and the premium is deducted from the service member's pay. Military spouses married on or after January 2, 2013, are not automatically covered and must be enrolled by their service member spouse through SOES.

To enrol their spouse in life insurance through SOES, a service member must go to Benefits, Life Insurance SOES- SGLI Online Enrollment System and log in with their CAC or DS Logon. They can then check their coverage and beneficiary information and make any necessary updates. Service members can increase, reduce, or cancel SGLI and FSGLI coverage, as well as add or edit beneficiary information, through the SOES. They can also view, save, print, or email a SGLI Coverage Certificate.

It is important to note that SOES is only for service members with full-time SGLI coverage. Reserve and National Guard members with part-time SGLI must continue to use the paper SGLV 8286 to make coverage and beneficiary changes. Additionally, a service member's beneficiary cannot make a claim for SGLI benefits through SOES and must instead contact the Casualty Office.

Spouses can convert FSGLI coverage to a permanent, individual insurance policy

Spouses who are insured under the Family Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (FSGLI) program have the option to convert their spousal coverage to an individual insurance policy. This conversion is possible within 120 days from any of the following events:

• The date of the service member's separation from the military
• The date of the service member's divorce from their spouse
• The date of the service member's election to terminate spousal SGLI coverage (SOES Certificate of Coverage or SGLV Form 8286A)
• The date of the service member's election to terminate their SGLI coverage (SOES Certificate of Coverage or Form SGLV-8286)
• The date of the service member's death

It is important to note that while conversion is optional, FSGLI coverage will terminate on the 121st day following any of these events. Spouses can convert their coverage to a commercial policy at standard premium rates without providing proof of good health. The policy must be a permanent, whole life policy, and other types of policies, such as term, variable, or universal life insurance, are not allowed as conversion policies. Additionally, supplementary policy benefits, such as accidental death and dismemberment or a waiver of the premium for disability, are not considered part of the conversion policy.

To convert spousal SGLI coverage, spouses must follow these steps:

• Select a company from the list of participating companies.
• Apply to the local sales office of the chosen company.
• Provide the agent with a copy of the most recent Leave and Earnings Statement (LES), showing the deduction for spousal SGLI.
• Provide proof of coverage by submitting one of the following documents:

• The service member's separation document (Form DD214 or NGB-22, or written orders)
• The Certificate of Dissolution of Marriage between the spouse and the service member
• The service member's FSGLI spousal declination
• The service member's SGLI declination
• The service member's proof of death (DD1300: Report of Casualty, or a civilian death certificate)

Frequently asked questions