Office of Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (OSGLI) 

Volume 10, Fall 2015

On September 29, 2015 the 

Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance 

(SGLI) Program reached its milestone 

50th anniversary. Prudential proudly 

administers this important Program 

through the Office of Servicemembers’ 

Group Life Insurance (OSGLI) on 

behalf of the Department of Veterans 

Affairs (VA). 

SGLI is a group insurance product 

that was first instituted in 1965 to 

meet the insurance needs of the 

Vietnam-era service member. Since 

then, it has undergone several 

significant enhancements to meet 

the changing insurance needs of those 

it was designed to protect. For example, 

the maximum amount of coverage 

under SGLI was increased from $10,000 

to $400,000 during the 50 years of the 

SGLI Program. In addition, the Program 

has expanded to include coverage 

for service members’ spouses and 

children (Family SGLI); traumatic injuries 

(TSGLI); and Veterans, through Veterans’ 

Group Life Insurance (VGLI). Today, 

the SGLI Program insures almost 5.6 

million individuals. 

VGLI members have seen additional 

enhancements in more recent years 

like the VGLI Buy-Up Program, which 

allows for coverage increases every five 

years. Technological advances like the 

redesigned VGLI website, Paperless 

Billing, and web chat provide Veterans 

with the conveniences of managing 

their VGLI coverage online. 

OSGLI looks forward to continuing 

to partner with VA to serve our 

nation’s service members, Veterans, 

and their families. 

A VGLI Online Account Puts 

You in Control

See coverage details, pay premiums, 

enroll for Paperless Billing, update your 

beneficiaries, and more with a VGLI 

Online Account. If you’re reading an 

electronic version of this newsletter, 

then you can get a VGLI Online 

Account by clicking here and 

selecting “Create an Account.”

1. If you’ve received this newsletter 

in the mail, then follow these 

instructions to set up your VGLI 

Online Account

2. Visit www.benefits.va.gov/insurance

3. From the left-hand menu select 

“Access My Policy Online”

4. On the next page, scroll down and 

select “VGLI Online Policy Access”

5. Once you arrive at the VGLI website 

home screen, select “Create an 

Account” and follow the instructions

Stay in Touch With Us

Be sure to check in with us at least 

annually to make sure your records 

are up to date. There are five 

convenient ways to contact us:

1. Web Chat: VGLI Web Chat is 

available through your VGLI Online 

Account, Monday through Friday, 

9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time

2. E-mail: osgli.osgli@prudential.com

3. Phone: 800-419-1473, Monday 

through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 

5:00 p.m. Eastern Time

4. Fax: 800-236-6142

5. Mail: OSGLI, PO Box 41618, 

Philadelphia, PA 19176-9913

SGLI Turns 50!

Ed. 09/2015

VGLI News

Want less clutter and more convenience? 

Then sign up for VGLI Paperless Billing 

today. Once enrolled in Paperless Billing 

you’ll stop receiving paper bills and start 

receiving email notifications the day your 

bill is ready. Simply click the link provided 

in the email to view bill details and make 

a secure online payment. No checks, no 

stamps, no envelopes.

Enrolling for Paperless Billing is easy. 

Access your VGLI Online Account and 

select “Billing & Payment Options” from 

the top menu. Then select “Paperless 

Billing.” Answer a few quick questions 

and you’re all set. Don’t have a VGLI 

Online Account? Check out the article 

“A VGLI Online Account Puts You in 

Control” in this newsletter. Or call the 

OSGLI Customer Service Center 

at 800-419-1473 and one of our 

representatives will be happy to 

walk you through the process. 

After you enroll, be sure to add 

myvglibill@prudential.com to your 

contact list to ensure you receive 

all future emails from us.

Please note: If your VGLI premiums 

are currently being automatically 

deducted from your VA compensation 

payments or military retirement pay, 

then there’s no need to sign up for 

Paperless Billing.

Paperless Billing Now Available 

for VGLI Members
Is Your Mailing Address Current?

If you received this newsletter via e-mail then you 

know that OSGLI has your current e-mail address. 

It’s also a good idea to make sure we have your 

correct mailing address. If we have your correct 

address, then you can be sure that you’ll receive 

all important notifications regarding your VGLI 

coverage. Access your VGLI Online Account or 

call us to update your address today. 

Life Changes. Have your Beneficiaries?

Life insurance should give you and your loved ones peace of mind that they will 

have funds available if anything happens to you. But that may not happen if your 

beneficiary designation isn’t up to date. If you’ve had a recent life event such as 

a change in marital status, the addition of a child, or the death of a loved one, 

then now is a good time to review and update your VGLI beneficiary designation. 

Not keeping beneficiaries up to date may result in your benefits going to a former 

spouse, an unintended next of kin, or your estate. It could also result in payment 

delays at a time when your loved one needs the money. 

You have the legal right to name any beneficiary you want and change your 

beneficiary at any time. Keeping your beneficiaries up to date is the best way 

to ensure your life insurance benefit is paid to the people you want.

Below are a few commonly asked questions about updating beneficiaries. 

Can I name a minor child as a beneficiary?

Yes. If you name a minor child as your beneficiary, then the proceeds can be paid to 

the court-appointed guardian of the child’s estate. Or, the funds will be paid to the 

child when he or she reaches the “age of majority,” which varies from state to state.

Can I name a Trust as beneficiary?

Yes, but designating a Trust as your beneficiary does not create a Trust. You must 

work with a financial or legal professional to set up a Trust before naming one as 

your beneficiary.

How do I update my beneficiaries?

There are two convenient ways to update your VGLI beneficiaries:

★ Log on to your VGLI Online Account and click on “Beneficiary Information.”

★ Visit www.benefits.va.gov/insurance/resources-forms.asp and download

Beneficiary Designation Form SGLV 8721. Complete the form and return 

it by mail or fax to OSGLI. 

Remember, beneficiary designation changes cannot be made by phone. If you 

have trouble making your updates online, please call the Customer Service Center 

at 800-419-1473 for assistance.

Ed. 09/2015 186008

Attention Veterans! 

VA Burial Benefits Available

You and your spouse may be eligible 

for benefits from the VA National 

Cemetery Administration, which 

includes burial in a VA national 

cemetery, a headstone or marker, 

and perpetual care of the grave 

at no cost to you or your family. 

For more information, please 

call 800-535-1117, or visit 

www.cem.va.gov.

Save on Your VGLI Premium

Did you know that you can 

save up to 5% on your VGLI 

premium by changing your 

billing frequency from monthly 

to quarterly, semi-annually, or 

annually? Log on to your VGLI 

Online Account or call the 

Contact Center to change your 

billing frequency and take 

advantage of these savings. If 

you already pay your premiums 

quarterly, semi-annually, or 

annually, then your billing 

statement already reflects the 

appropriate discount. 

Have You Visited the VGLI Website Lately? 

If you haven’t visited our website in a while, then now is a great time to take a 

look. It’s been over a year since we launched our new site and the response has 

been overwhelmingly positive. 

With a modern design and streamlined navigation, the enhanced VGLI Website 

makes it easier than ever for you to manage your VGLI coverage online. The site 

provides on-demand access to coverage details and enables you to quickly pay 

premiums, update beneficiaries, choose billing preferences, and more.

Be sure to check out all that the website has to offer. If you are reading an 

electronic version of this newsletter, then click here and log in to your VGLI 

Online Account with your current User ID and password. If you don’t have a 

VGLI Online Account, you can get one by following the quick steps in the 

article “A VGLI Online Account Puts You in Control” in this newsletter.