Orlando Harmon
Veterans' insurance in the US is called Veterans’ Group Life Insurance (VGLI). It is a life insurance program that allows veterans to maintain their life insurance coverage after leaving the military, provided they continue to pay the premiums. VGLI is offered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), which provides various other benefits such as the Civilian Health and Medical Program (CHAMPVA) and the VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (VA DIC) program. Additionally, veterans may also be eligible for health coverage through TRICARE, Medicare, or the Health Insurance Marketplace.
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What You'll Learn
Veterans' Group Life Insurance (VGLI)
Veterans Group Life Insurance (VGLI) is a life insurance program that allows service members to convert their Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI) coverage to term life insurance that is renewable every five years. VGLI is overseen by the Department of Veterans Affairs and administered by the Office of Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (OSGLI).
To be eligible for VGLI, veterans must meet at least one of the following requirements:
- They had SGLI while in the military and are within 1 year and 120 days of being released from an active-duty period of 31 or more days.
- They are within 1 year and 120 days of retiring or being released from the Ready Reserve or National Guard.
- They are within 1 year and 120 days of assignment to the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) or the Inactive National Guard (ING).
- They are within 1 year and 120 days of being put on the Temporary Disability Retirement List (TDRL).
Veterans must apply for VGLI within 1 year and 120 days of leaving the military. If they sign up within 240 days of leaving the military, they are not required to prove they are in good health. However, if they sign up after this period, they must submit evidence of good health.
VGLI premium rates are based on the veteran's age and the amount of insurance coverage desired. The coverage amount ranges from $10,000 to $500,000, with the specific amount determined by the veteran's SGLI coverage when they left the military.
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TRICARE For Life (TFL)
TFL provides supplemental medical coverage for all Medicare Part A and B services. If you have Medicare and TFL, Medicare is the primary insurer and TFL is the secondary insurer for services covered by both plans. For example, after a Medicare-covered doctor’s visit, Medicare would pay 80% of the Medicare-approved amount, and TFL would pay the remaining 20%, up to its allowable charge. If you have other supplemental health insurance in addition to Medicare and TFL, Medicare pays first, followed by your other insurance, and then by TFL.
There is no enrollment card for TRICARE For Life. All you need is your Medicare card and military ID as proof of coverage. You may visit any authorized provider. In most cases, your provider files your claims with Medicare, which pays its portion first and sends the claim to the TRICARE For Life claims processor.
If you live overseas, you must have Part B to remain eligible for TRICARE, even though Medicare doesn't provide coverage outside the US and its territories. When using TRICARE For Life in all overseas locations, TRICARE is the primary payer, and you're responsible for paying TRICARE's annual deductible and cost shares. You can get care at military hospitals and clinics, but only if space is available.
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Civilian Health and Medical Program (CHAMPVA)
The Civilian Health and Medical Program, or CHAMPVA, is a health benefits program for the spouses, dependents, and surviving spouses and dependents of veterans with disabilities connected to their time in service. To qualify for CHAMPVA, applicants must not be eligible for TRICARE, the Department of Defense's healthcare program for service members and their families.
CHAMPVA is a cost-sharing program, meaning that the government shares the cost of certain health services and supplies with the beneficiary. To qualify for CHAMPVA, applicants must be either the spouse or dependent child of a veteran with a permanent and total disability from a service-connected disability or the surviving spouse or dependent child of a veteran who died from a service-connected disability. Applicants may also qualify if they are the surviving spouse or dependent child of a veteran who, at the time of their death, was rated permanently and totally disabled from a service-connected disability.
To apply for CHAMPVA, applicants must submit a completed CHAMPVA-Other Health Insurance Certification (VA Form 10-7959c) and a copy of the front and back of their health insurance card or Medicare card. If applicants have Medicare Part D for prescription coverage, they must also submit a copy of the front and back of their Medicare Part D card. Applicants can submit their documents online as part of the application or by mail.
If applicants are eligible for Medicare, they must have Medicare Part A and Part B to get or keep their CHAMPVA benefits. A Medicare Advantage plan (also called Part C) also meets this requirement. Applicants who are eligible for Medicare must also submit a document called a "notice of disallowance" from the Social Security Administration, confirming that they do not qualify for Medicare benefits under anyone's Social Security number.
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Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI)
SGLI provides flexible options for service members. For instance, members of the Ready Reserve or National Guard, assigned to a unit and scheduled for at least 12 periods of inactive training per year, can also be covered. Furthermore, SGLI coverage can be converted to a permanent individual insurance policy within 120 days of discharge without requiring proof of good health. This conversion option allows for a seamless transition from military to civilian life, ensuring continued financial protection for veterans and their families.
The monthly SGLI premium rate is affordable, currently set at 6 cents per $1,000 of insurance coverage. This premium includes an additional $1 per month for Traumatic Injury Protection coverage (TSGLI), providing added peace of mind in the event of unforeseen injuries.
Upon leaving the military, individuals have the option to apply for Veterans' Group Life Insurance (VGLI) within one year and 120 days from their discharge date. The VGLI coverage amount can match the previous SGLI coverage, and it can be maintained for as long as the premiums are paid. This transition from SGLI to VGLI ensures that veterans can retain their life insurance coverage even after their military service ends.
SGLI also offers a disability extension (SGLI-DE) for those who experience qualifying disabilities during their service. To apply for SGLI-DE, individuals need to complete the SGLI Disability Extension Application (SGLV 8715) and submit it to the Office of Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (OSGLI).
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VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (VA DIC)
If you are the surviving spouse, child, or parent of a service member who died in the line of duty, or the survivor of a veteran who died from a service-related injury or illness, you may be able to get a tax-free monetary benefit called VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (VA DIC).
To apply for VA DIC, you will need to fill out an application for benefits. The application you fill out will depend on your survivor status. If you are the surviving spouse or child of a service member who died while on active duty, your military casualty assistance officer will help you complete an "Application for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation by a Surviving Spouse or Child" (VA Form 21P-534a). The officer will help you mail the form to the correct VA regional office. If you are the surviving spouse or child of a veteran, fill out an "Application for DIC, Survivors Pension, and/or Accrued Benefits" (VA Form 21P-534EZ). If you are a surviving parent, fill out an "Application for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation by Parent(s)" (VA Form 21P-535).
When you file a claim for VA DIC, the VA will review all available evidence (supporting documents) to determine if you qualify for benefits. The evidence required depends on the reason for your application. For instance, if you are a surviving spouse, you will need to submit your marriage certificate or other evidence showing that you were married to the veteran for at least one year immediately before their death. If the service member received disability compensation for a service-connected disability, you may only need to submit evidence that it either caused or is linked to their death.
Note that if the veteran did not die from a service-connected illness or injury, they must have been eligible to receive VA compensation for a service-connected disability rated as totally disabling for a certain period of time. "Totally disabling" means the veteran's injuries made it impossible for them to work.
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Frequently asked questions
Veterans' Group Life Insurance (VGLI) is a program that allows veterans to keep their life insurance coverage after leaving the military as long as they continue to pay the premiums.
To be eligible for VGLI, you must meet at least one of the following requirements:
- You had SGLI while you were in the military and you're within 1 year and 120 days of being released from active duty.
- You're within 1 year and 120 days of retiring or being released from the Ready Reserve or National Guard.
- You're within 1 year and 120 days of assignment to the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) or Inactive National Guard (ING).
You can apply for VGLI through the Office of Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (OSGLI) using the Prudential website or by mail/fax. You'll need to fill out the Application for Veterans' Group Life Insurance (SGLV 8714).
VGLI provides financial coverage in the event of a traumatic injury or service-connected disability. It offers term life insurance benefits of between $10,000 and $500,000, depending on your SGLI coverage when you left the military. You can also increase your coverage over time.
