LIFE INSURANCE

SERVICEMEMBERS GROUP LIFE INSURANCE

Disabilities determined by VA to be related to your military service can lead to monthly non-taxable compensation, enrollment in the 

VA health care system, a 10-point hiring preference for federal employment and other important benefits. Ask your VA 

representative or Veterans Service Organization representative about Disability Compensation, Pension, Health Care, Caregiver

Program, Career Services, Educational Assistance, Home Loan Guaranty, Insurance and/or Dependents and Survivors’ Benefits.

WHAT IS SERVICEMEMBERS’ GROUP LIFE INSURANCE (SGLI)

SGLI is a program of low-cost group life insurance protection for members of the uniformed services. 

Members covered under SGLI also have automatic traumatic injury protection (TSGLI), and, if they 

are married and/or have children, have automatic coverage on their spouse and dependent children 

(Family SGLI). For more information on TSGLI or Family SGLI, please refer to the separate fact 

sheets on TSGLI and Family SGLI.

HOW MUCH COVERAGE IS AVAILABLE? 

The maximum amount of SGLI coverage available is $400,000. It can be purchased in $50,000 

increments.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?

You are eligible for SGLI if you are a Servicemember on active duty, Ready Reservist, member of the 

Commissioned Corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Public Health 

Service, cadet or midshipman of the four service academies or a member of the Reserve Officer 

Training Corps.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST? 

The SGLI premium rate is currently 7 cents (.007¢) per month per $1,000 of insurance, regardless of 

the member's age. For the member who carries the maximum coverage of $400,000, the monthly 

SGLI premium is $28. In addition, there is an extra premium charge of $1 for TSGLI coverage, which 

is automatic, making the maximum premium $29 per month for $400,000 of coverage. SGLI 

premiums are deducted from the Servicemember’s pay.

HOW CAN YOU APPLY FOR SGLI COVERAGE?

SGLI coverage at the maximum amount is automatic when a member enters onto active duty or 

Ready Reserve service, which includes:
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 A civilian who enlists for active duty or Ready Reserve service

 A Ready Reservist who is mobilized to active duty status

 A Ready Reservist who is demobilized and returns to reserve status

 A member who completes active duty and is assigned to the Ready Reserve

HOW CAN YOU DECLINE SGLI OR TAKE LESS THAN THE FULL AMOUNT OF COVERAGE? 

A Servicemember can decline or reduce coverage when he or she is called into service by completing 

SGLV-8286, Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance Election and Certificate. By declining SGLI, the 

member also declines Family SGLI and TSGLI. If the member declines or reduces SGLI coverage and 

later wants to obtain or increase the coverage, the member can apply for coverage using the same 

SGLV 8286 form, but must submit proof of good health with the application.

WHEN AND WHAT HAPPENS WHEN SGLI COVERAGE END? 

Generally, SGLI coverage ends 120 days after separation from service, unless the discharged Veteran 

is eligible for the SGLI Disability Extension (see below). As of October 1, 2012, Veterans can apply for 

Veterans Group Life Insurance (VGLI) within the first 240 days of separation without evidence of 

good health. After the initial 240 days has elapsed the Veteran then has an additional eight months to 

apply, but good health requirements must be met. SGLI can also be converted to a permanent plan of 

insurance with one of 20 participating companies within 120 days form separation.

WHEN IS THE SGLI DISABILITY EXTENSION? 

The SGLI Disability Extension allows Servicemembers who are totally disabled at the time of 

discharge to retain the SGLI coverage they had in service for up to two years from the date of 

discharge, at no cost. To be considered totally disabled, the Servicemember must have a disability 

that prevents them from being gainfully employed, or have one of the following conditions, regardless 

of employment status.

 Permanent loss of use of both hands 

 Permanent loss of use of both feet 

 Permanent loss of use of both eyes 

 Permanent loss of use of one hand and one foot 

 Permanent loss of use of one foot and one eye 
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 Permanent loss of use of one hand and one eye 

 Total loss of hearing in both ears 

 Organic loss of speech (lost ability to express oneself, both by voice and whisper, through 

normal organs for speech - being able to speak with an artificial appliance is disregarded in 

determination of total disability) 

For More Information, Call Toll-Free 1-800-669-8477 or Visit Our Insurance Website.