Summary of VA 

Protect You Life Insurance Benefits

and Your 

Family With 

VA Insurance
VA offers life insurance programs that 

provide financial security and peace of 

mind for Servicemembers, Veterans, 

and their families. 

VA provides the following life insurance options 

at relatively low monthly premiums, which vary 

by program: 

» Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI)

is a low-cost group term life insurance program 

for Servicemembers. Servicemembers who 

are totally disabled at separation may extend 

coverage for up to two years

» Veterans’ Group Life Insurance (VGLI) allows 

Veterans to convert their SGLI to a civilian 

program of renewable term coverage after 

separation from service 

» Family Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance 

(FSGLI) insures spouses and children of 

Servicemembers with SGLI coverage. Spousal 

coverage may not exceed the Servicemember’s 

SGLI coverage. Dependent children are 

automatically covered at no charge 

Access Your VA Benefits

Go to eBenefits at www.ebenefits.va.gov, 

your one-stop shop to learn about and apply 

for your benefits.

» Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance 

Traumatic Injury Protection (TSGLI) is an 

automatic feature of SGLI that provides payments 

to Servicemembers who suffer severe losses, 

such as amputations, blindness, and paraplegia, 

due to traumatic injuries that occur in service 

» Service-Disabled Veterans’ Insurance (S-DVI)

provides life insurance coverage to Veterans 

whom VA has granted service connection for 

a new disability within the last two years. 

Totally disabled Veterans are eligible for free 

coverage and have the opportunity to purchase 

additional insurance 

» Veterans’ Mortgage Life Insurance (VMLI)

provides mortgage life insurance protection to 

severely disabled Servicemembers and Veterans 

whom VA has granted Specially Adapted 

Housing (SAH) 
SERVICEMEMBERS’ GROUP LIFE 

INSURANCE (SGLI)

SGLI provides low-cost term life insurance coverage 

to active duty Servicemembers and Reserve 

members. Covered members receive 120 days of 

free coverage from their date of separation. 

Part-time coverage is also provided to Reserve 

members who do not qualify for full-time coverage.

Eligibility. You are automatically insured under 

full-time SGLI if you are one of the following: 

» An active duty member of the Army, Navy, Air Force, 

Marines, or Coast Guard

» A commissioned member of the National Oceanic 

and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) or the U.S. 

Public Health Service (USPHS)

» A cadet or midshipman of the U.S. military academies

» A member, cadet, or midshipman of the Reserve 

Officers Training Corps (ROTC) engaged in 

authorized training or practice cruises

» A member of the Ready Reserve or National Guard 

scheduled to perform at least 12 periods of inactive 

training per year, or

» A Servicemember who volunteers for a mobilization 

category in the Individual Ready Reserve 

If you are unable to work due to total disability at 

the time of separation, you can apply for the SGLI 

Disability Extension, which provides free coverage 

for up to two years. At the end of the extension 

period, you automatically qualify for VGLI as long 

as you pay the premiums.

Servicemembers are automatically issued maximum 

SGLI coverage upon entry to active duty. They must 

indicate in writing if they wish to decline coverage, 

select a lesser amount, designate beneficiaries, and/or 

make other changes to their life insurance coverage.

Premiums. You pay a monthly premium for SGLI 

that VA automatically deducts from your base pay.

VETERANS’ GROUP LIFE INSURANCE (VGLI)

VGLI is a life insurance program that allows 

Veterans to convert their full-time SGLI coverage 

to lifetime renewable term insurance after 

separation from service. If you apply within 240 

days after discharge, you can obtain this coverage 

regardless of your health. You can retain VGLI for 

as long as you pay the premiums. 

Eligibility. You qualify for VGLI if you are one of 

the following:

» Servicemember being released from active duty 

who was covered by SGLI, OR

» Servicemember separating, retiring, or being 

released from assignment in the Ready Reserve 

or National Guard who was covered by SGLI, OR

» National Guard or Reserve member covered by parttime SGLI who incurred a disability or aggravated 

a pre-existing disability while performing inactive 

duty or traveling to/from duty, OR 

» Member of the Individual Ready Reserve or 

Inactive National Guard

Converting SGLI to VGLI—Time sensitive 

Veterans who were separated from military 

service on or after November 1, 2012, may 

now apply to convert SGLI to VGLI within one 

year and 240 days from separation. Evidence 

of good health is not required for those who 

apply within 240 days of separation. 

All applications for VGLI must include the first 

month’s premium. Veterans can apply online 

through www.ebenefits.va.gov or 

www.insurance.va.gov.
Amount. Servicemembers can convert SGLI to 

VGLI up to the amount of coverage they had upon 

separation from service. Servicemembers who obtain 

less VGLI coverage can increase their VGLI coverage in 

$25,000 increments every five years until age 60. 

Premiums. The cost for VGLI varies according 

to the amount of coverage and age. Premiums 

increase periodically.

FAMILY SERVICEMEMBERS’ GROUP LIFE 

INSURANCE (FSGLI)

FSGLI is a program that automatically provides 

term life insurance coverage to the spouses and 

dependent children of Servicemembers insured 

under the SGLI program. VA automatically 

issues the maximum spousal coverage, but 

Servicemembers can decline or reduce that 

coverage. Dependent children are insured at 

no cost. The Servicemember is always the 

beneficiary of FSGLI coverage.

Eligibility. Spouses and dependent children of the 

following are eligible for FSGLI: 

» Active duty Servicemembers covered by full-time 

SGLI, OR 

» Members of the National Guard or Ready Reserve 

covered by full-time SGLI 

Family coverage is not available to individuals 

insured under the VGLI program. 

Premiums. Servicemembers pay a premium for their 

spouse’s coverage, which increases as the spouse 

ages. Coverage for children is provided at no cost until 

a child is 18, unless the child is a full-time student or 

disability renders the child permanently incapable of 

self-support prior to age 18.

SERVICEMEMBERS’ GROUP LIFE INSURANCE 

TRAUMATIC INJURY PROTECTION (TSGLI)

TSGLI provides automatic traumatic injury 

coverage to all Servicemembers covered under 

the SGLI program. It provides short-term financial 

assistance to severely injured Servicemembers 

and Veterans to assist them in their recovery from 

traumatic injuries. TSGLI is not only for combat 

injuries, but provides insurance coverage for 

injuries incurred on or off duty. 

Eligibility. All members of the uniformed 

services who have SGLI are automatically 

covered by TSGLI. If members suffered an injury 

between October 7, 2001, and November 30, 2005, 

that resulted in a qualifying loss, they are covered 

by TSGLI, regardless of whether they had SGLI 

coverage at the time of the injury. TSGLI coverage 

automatically ends when members are discharged 

from service or decline SGLI coverage. 

Spouses and children covered under FSGLI are 

not covered by TSGLI.

Premiums. The premium for TSGLI is a flat rate 

of $1 per month for most Servicemembers.

Financial counseling may be available for you 

if you have SGLI, VGLI, FSGLI, or TSGLI coverage. 

Once you receive your claim payment, you or

your beneficiary can get advice from a financial

expert at FinancialPoint® to create a plan to 

address your specific financial needs. It does not

sell any financial products. For more information,

please go to www.insurance.va.gov or call 

one of the following toll free numbers: 

SGLI, VGLI, FSGLI Beneficiaries: 1-888-243-7351 

TSGLI Recipients: 1-800-428-3416
VETERANS’ MORTGAGE LIFE 

INSURANCE (VMLI)

Veterans’ Mortgage Life Insurance (VMLI) is 

mortgage protection insurance that can help 

families of severely disabled Servicemembers or 

Veterans pay off a home mortgage in the event 

of their death. 

Eligibility. VMLI is only available to 

Servicemembers and Veterans with severe serviceconnected disabilities who:

» Received Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) to 

help build, remodel, or purchase a home, AND

» Have the title to the home, AND

» Have a mortgage on the home

Veterans must apply for VMLI before their 70th 

birthday. 

VMLI protection is issued automatically following 

SAH approval, provided you submit information 

required to establish a premium and do not 

decline coverage. Coverage automatically 

terminates when the mortgage is paid off. If you 

sell your house and pay off your mortgage, you can 

obtain VMLI on the mortgage of another home.

Premiums. VMLI premiums vary according 

to your age, the outstanding balance of the 

mortgage, and the remaining length of the 

mortgage. VA automatically deducts VMLI 

premiums from your monthly benefit payments.

SERVICE-DISABLED VETERANS’ 

INSURANCE (S-DVI)

S-DVI is a life insurance benefit for Veterans 

who have service-connected disabilities but 

are otherwise in good health.

Eligibility. To obtain S-DVI, you must meet the 

following criteria: 

» VA granted service connection for any disability 

(even if evaluated at zero percent), AND

» You applied within two years from the date 

VA notified you of a new service-connected 

disability, AND

» You are in good health, except for any serviceconnected conditions

Premiums. The premium you pay for S-DVI 

coverage depends on your age, type of plan 

(term or permanent), and the amount of coverage. 

If you are a Veteran with basic S-DVI coverage and 

are totally disabled, you may apply to have VA 

waive your premiums.

Supplemental S-DVI is additional 

supplemental insurance coverage if: 

» You have an S-DVI policy, AND

» VA is waiving the premiums on your basic 

coverage due to total disability, AND

» You apply for Supplemental S-DVI within one 

year of being notified of the waiver, AND

» You are under 65 years of age 

Note: VA cannot waive premiums for 

Supplemental S-DVI.
SGLI VGLI FSGLI TSGLI S-DVI VMLI

ELIGIBILITY Who qualifies?

Servicemembers on 

active duty, members 

of the Ready Reserve, 

National Guard, the 

Commissioned Corps 

of the National Oceanic 

and Atmospheric 

Administration and 

the Public Health 

Service, cadets and 

midshipmen of the four 

service academies, and 

ROTC members

Members with full-time SGLI 

coverage are eligible for VGLI 

upon release from service

Family coverage 

is available for the 

spouses and children 

of active duty 

Servicemembers 

and members of the 

National Guard or 

Ready Reserve of a 

uniformed service 

who have full-time 

SGLI coverage

Every 

Servicemember who 

has SGLI coverage 

also has TSGLI 

coverage

Servicemembers who 

were released from 

active duty under other 

than dishonorable 

conditions after April 

25, 1951, and were 

notified of a rating for a 

new service-connected 

disability (even 0 

percent) within the 

last 2 years are eligible 

to apply. Applicants 

must be in good health 

with the exception of 

any service-connected 

condition

Servicemembers 

and Veterans who 

have received a 

Specially Adapted 

Housing Grant 

(SAH)

APPLYING Is there an application deadline?

No, coverage is 

automatic upon entry 

to active duty or active 

duty for training (if 

a National Guard or 

Reserve member)

Veterans must apply to 

convert SGLI to VGLI within 

one year and 120 days from 

discharge. Veterans who 

submit their application 

within 120 days of discharge 

do not need to submit 

evidence of good health, 

while those who apply more 

than 120 days after discharge 

are required to answer 

questions about their health. 

Servicemembers who receive 

a SGLI Disability Extension 

are automatically issued VGLI 

at the end of their extension 

period, subject to payment of 

premiums

No, coverage is 

automatic

Coverage is 

automatic for those 

insured under basic 

SGLI and cannot be 

declined. The only 

way to decline TSGLI 

is to decline basic 

SGLI coverage

Veterans must apply 

within two years from 

the date VA notified 

them that they have 

been granted 

a new serviceconnected disability

Veterans must 

apply before their 

70th birthday. 

Veterans and 

Servicemembers 

receiving a Specially 

Adapted Housing 

Grant are notified 

by Loan Guaranty 

personnel during 

their interview if 

they are eligible for 

Veterans’ Mortgage 

Life Insurance

What forms are needed?

Complete and file SGLV 

8286, Servicemembers’ 

Group Life Insurance 

Election and 

Certificate to designate 

beneficiaries or to 

reduce, decline, or 

restore SGLI coverage

Complete SGLV 8714, 

Application 

for Veterans’ Group Life 

Insurance, 

or apply online

Complete and file 

SGLV 8286A to 

decline, reduce, or 

restore FSGLI spousal 

coverage

To make a claim for 

the TSGLI benefit, 

complete and submit 

SGLV Form 8600, 

Application for TSGLI 

Benefits

Complete VA 29-4364,

Application for ServiceDisabled Insurance 

(S-DVI)

Complete VA 29-

8636, Application 

for Veterans’ 

Mortgage Life 

Insurance

Can I complete and apply online?

Yes, at www.ebenefits.

va.gov, click “Insurance” 

under “browse benefits 

LINKS” 

Note: This enhancement 

is expected to be added 

to www.ebenefits.va.gov 

in 2012 

Yes, at www.insurance.

va.gov or click “Insurance” 

under “browse benefits 

LINKS” at www.ebenefits.

va.gov

No No

Yes, at www.insurance.

va.gov or click 

“Insurance” under 

“browse benefits 

LINKS” at www.

ebenefits.va.gov

No
VA adopted five core values that define “who we 

are,” our culture, and how we care for Veterans, 

their families, and other beneficiaries. The values 

are Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect, 

and Excellence (I-CARE).

I CARE

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

APPLY FOR YOUR VA INSURANCE BENEFITS

Apply for VGLI and S-DVI at www.insurance.va.gov, or register and apply for VGLI and S-DVI at 

www.ebenefits.va.gov, your one-stop shop to apply for and learn about your benefits.

For information regarding SGLI, TSGLI, FSGLI, or VGLI, call the Office of Servicemembers’ Group Life 

Insurance at 1-800-419-1473. For information regarding S-DVI and VMLI, call the VA Insurance Toll-Free 

Customer Service Center at 1-800-669-8477.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Where can I find how much insurance I really need?

Our website, www.insurance.va.gov, offers a life insurance calculator and other guidance to 

determine the level of insurance that meets your family’s needs and evaluate how much you 

can afford based on the rates of VA or other providers.

Can I make a claim under TSGLI once I have left the service? 

Yes, you can make a claim under TSGLI after discharge as long as you experienced the traumatic 

event while in service and while covered by SGLI. TSGLI does not cover traumatic events occurring 

after service.

I am an active duty member, but my spouse is retired from the military. Is my spouse eligible 

for insurance under FSGLI?

Yes. Eligibility for spousal coverage is based on the status of the member covered under SGLI. 

If you are covered under SGLI, you are eligible to insure your spouse, regardless of whether your 

spouse is on active duty, retired, or a civilian.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Veterans Benefits Administration

Washington, DC 20420

T 800-827-1000

www.va.gov/benefits

For More Information

For more information about 

life insurance benefits, including 

eligibility, coverage limits, premium 

rates, and how to apply, please: 

» Find links to VA benefits information and apply 

at www.ebenefits.va.gov 

» Visit us at www.insurance.va.gov

» Use IRIS, VA’s tool to find information and ask 

questions online at https://iris.custhelp.com

» Call us at 1-800-669-8477 (for S-DVI and VMLI 

benefits) or 1-800-419-1473 (for SGLI, VGLI, 

FSGLI, and TSGLI benefits)

» Visit the nearest VA regional office. To find the 

VA regional office nearest you, go to our website 

or call VA toll free at 1-800-827-1000

Additional VA Benefits

Disabilities determined by VA to be related to 

your military service can lead to monthly nontaxable compensation, enrollment in the VA 

health care system, a 10-point hiring preference 

for federal employment, and other important 

benefits. Ask a representative from VA or a 

Veterans Service Organization (VSO) about 

Disability Compensation, Pension, Health Care, 

Caregiver Program, Vocational Rehabilitation 

and Employment Services, Educational Assistance, 

Home Loan Guaranty, Insurance, and/or 

Dependents’ and Survivors’ Benefits. You can 

search for a VSO online at www.ebenefits.va.gov.

Thank you for your service. 

Now let us serve you.

VA PAM 29-12-2

September 2012