Paul Sanchez
Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI) is a low-cost term insurance option for eligible active-duty service members across the Army, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, Marines, and Coast Guard. The maximum coverage amount was increased to $500,000 in March 2023, and eligible service members are automatically enrolled at this maximum amount.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of Insurance | Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI) |
| Type of Insurance | Low-cost term coverage |
| Eligibility | Active-duty members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, Marines, or Coast Guard |
| Commissioned members of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) or the U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) | |
| Cadets or midshipmen of the U.S. military academies | |
| Members, cadets, or midshipmen of the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) engaged in authorized training and practice cruises | |
| Members of the Ready Reserve or National Guard, assigned to a unit and scheduled to perform at least 12 periods of inactive training per year | |
| Maximum Coverage Amount | $500,000 |
| Coverage for Spouses | Civilian spouses are covered under FSGLI automatically if married before Jan 2, 2013 |
| Military spouses married on or after Jan. 2, 2013, are not automatically covered and need to be enrolled | |
| Coverage for Children | Dependent children are automatically insured for $10,000 of coverage at no cost to the member |
| Contact | Office of Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (OSGLI): 800-419-1473 |
| Email: [email protected] |
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What You'll Learn
Eligibility for SGLI
Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI) is a Department of Veterans Affairs program that provides low-cost group life insurance to eligible service members. If you are a service member who meets the criteria, you will be automatically signed up for SGLI.
- You are an active-duty member of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, Marines, or Coast Guard.
- You are a commissioned member of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) or the U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS).
- You are a cadet or midshipman of the U.S. military academies.
- You are a member, cadet, or midshipman of the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) engaged in authorized training and practice cruises.
- You are a member of the Ready Reserve or National Guard, assigned to a unit, and are scheduled to perform at least 12 periods of inactive training per year. If you are in nonpay status with the Ready Reserve or National Guard, you may still be eligible if you meet the above training requirement and pay your premiums directly.
- You are a member of the military recovering from a severe injury.
Eligibility for Family Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (FSGLI)
Spouses and dependent children of service members covered under full-time SGLI are automatically covered under FSGLI. The premium for this coverage is automatically 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 the service member through the SGLI Online Enrollment System.
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Converting SGLI to VGLI
Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI) is a low-cost group life insurance policy that covers active-duty military members. SGLI coverage ends when a service member leaves the military, so it's important to consider converting to a new policy. One option is to convert to Veterans' Group Life Insurance (VGLI), which offers life insurance coverage for veterans and their spouses.
To be eligible for VGLI, service members 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 Inactive National Guard (ING).
- They are within 1 year and 120 days of being put on the Temporary Disability Retirement List (TDRL).
- They had part-time SGLI as a member of the National Guard or Reserve and suffered an injury or disability while on duty.
To convert SGLI to VGLI, service members must apply within 120 days of separation from the military. During this timeframe, they are not required to provide proof of good health. To initiate the conversion, individuals should:
- Select a company from the Participating Companies listing.
- Apply to a local sales office of the chosen company.
- Obtain a letter from OSGLI verifying coverage (VGLI Conversion Notice).
- Provide a copy of the VGLI Conversion Notice to the agent taking the application.
It is important to note that while VGLI provides life insurance coverage similar to SGLI, certain supplementary benefits, like the Waiver of Premium for Disability and Accidental Death and Dismemberment, do not transfer during conversion. Additionally, VGLI policies tend to carry higher premiums, especially as the policyholder ages. Therefore, it may be beneficial to shop for an individual policy or consider other commercial insurance options.
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Applying for VGLI
Veterans' Group Life Insurance (VGLI) is an option for those who have left the military and want to continue their life insurance coverage. To apply for VGLI, there are a few key steps to follow:
Firstly, it's important to note that you must apply within a specific time frame after leaving the military. You are eligible to apply for VGLI if you meet at least one of the following requirements:
- You had Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (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.
- You are within 1 year and 120 days of retiring or being released from the Ready Reserve or National Guard.
- You are within 1 year and 120 days of assignment to the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) or Inactive National Guard (ING). This includes members of the United States Public Health Service Inactive Reserve Corps (IRC).
- You are within 1 year and 120 days of being put on the Temporary Disability Retirement List (TDRL).
Secondly, when it comes to the application process, you will need to fill out a VGLI Beneficiary Designation form (SGLV 8721). This form can be downloaded from the Veterans Affairs website. Make sure to provide all the necessary information accurately and completely.
Thirdly, understand that VGLI premium rates are based on your age and the amount of insurance coverage you desire. These rates are subject to change over time, so be sure to refer to the most current information available.
Additionally, if you already have VGLI coverage and it has expired, you can reinstate it by completing an Application for Reinstatement of VGLI Coverage (SGLV 180). You can also convert your VGLI coverage to an individual insurance policy at standard premium rates without providing proof of good health. To do this, choose a new insurance company and apply at their local sales office. You will need to obtain a VGLI Conversion Notice letter from the Office of Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (OSGLI) and submit it with your application. It's important to note that the conversion policy must be a permanent policy, such as a whole life policy.
Finally, remember that VGLI coverage will not increase automatically. If you wish to purchase additional coverage, you can do so through the VGLI Buy-Up benefit. Eligible members under 60 years of age can buy extra coverage in increments of $25,000 during specified coverage anniversary periods.
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SGLI coverage amounts
Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI) offers low-cost term coverage to eligible service members. If you are a service member who meets certain criteria, you will be automatically signed up for SGLI.
To be eligible for full-time SGLI coverage, you must meet at least one of the following requirements:
- You are an active-duty member of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, Marines, or Coast Guard.
- You are a commissioned member of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) or the U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS).
- You are a cadet or midshipman of the U.S. military academies.
- You are a member, cadet, or midshipman of the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) engaged in authorized training and practice cruises.
- You are a member of the Ready Reserve or National Guard, assigned to a unit, and are scheduled to perform at least 12 periods of inactive training per year.
The maximum SGLI coverage amount for eligible service members is $500,000 as of March 1, 2023. This increase in coverage is automatic, and all eligible service members will have their coverage increased to the new maximum. Service members who previously declined SGLI coverage will still be automatically insured for $500,000 unless they opt out or elect a lesser coverage amount.
When you leave the military, you have the option to convert your SGLI coverage to a permanent, individual insurance policy within 120 days from your date of discharge without proof of good health. You can also apply for Veterans' Group Life Insurance (VGLI) within 1 year and 120 days from your date of discharge for up to the amount of coverage you had through SGLI. VGLI coverage will not be increased automatically, but eligible members can purchase additional coverage in $25,000 increments during specified coverage anniversary periods.
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Contacting OSGLI
Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI) offers low-cost term coverage to eligible service members. The maximum coverage amount for SGLI is $500,000.
The Office of Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (OSGLI) can be contacted at 800-419-1473 or by email at [email protected] for general inquiries, or at [email protected] for death and accelerated benefits claims. The mailing address for general correspondence is:
Office of Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance
PO Box 41618
Philadelphia, PA 19176-9913
For new VGLI applications and VGLI reinstatements, the mailing address is the same as above.
If you are a Casualty Assistance Officer who needs SGLI Claims Assistance, you can contact OSGLI at the number provided above. For SGLI Online Enrollment System Questions, contact the Defense Manpower Data Center at 800-368-3665. For premium deduction questions, call 1-888-332-7411, Option 4, Option 3, Option 4.
If you are a separating Service member who would like information on converting SGLI to VGLI, you should contact OSGLI. If you have questions about any VA-administered life insurance programs with policy numbers beginning with G, V, RH, J, RS, or W, you can contact the VA Life Insurance Center at 1-800-669-8477.
If you are unable to get a clear answer from OSGLI, it may be helpful to reach out to your congressman/woman or senator for assistance.
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Frequently asked questions
The maximum coverage amount for SGLI is $500,000.
To elect a lesser coverage amount, or no coverage, you need to certify in the SGLI Online Enrollment System (SOES/MilConnect). If you don't have access to SOES/MilConnect, you can use the Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance Election & Certificate form (SGLV 8286).
If you previously declined SGLI coverage, you will still be automatically insured for $500,000 unless you opt out or elect a lesser coverage amount.
