Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI) offers low-cost term coverage to eligible service members. If you’re a service member who meets certain criteria, we’ll automatically sign you up. Find out if you’re eligible and learn how to manage your SGLI coverage.
Am I eligible for SGLI?
You may be eligible for full-time SGLI coverage if you meet at least 1 of these requirements.
At least 1 of these must be true:
- You’re an active-duty member of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, Marines, or Coast Guard, or
- You’re acommissioned member of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) or the U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS), or
- You’re a cadet or midshipman of the U.S. military academies, or
- You’re amember, cadet, or midshipman of the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) engaged in authorized training and practice cruises, or
- You’re a member of the Ready Reserve or National Guard, assigned to a unit, and scheduled to perform at least 12 periods of inactive training per year, or
- You’re a volunteer in an Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) mobilization category
If you’re in nonpay status with the Ready Reserve or National Guard
You may be eligible for full-time SGLI coverage if you meet both of these requirements.
Both of these must be true:
- You’re scheduled for 12 periods of inactive training for the year, and
- You’re drilling for points rather than pay
Note: You must pay your premiums directly.
Who’s covered?
Service members
Accessing and managing SGLI while you’re serving
What kind of life insurance benefits can I get with SGLI?
You can get benefits like these:
- Coverage up to the top limit of $500,000—in $50,000 increments
- 120 days of free coverage from the date you left the military
- Extension of free coverage for up to 2 years (if you’re totally disabled) when you leave the military.
Get information on the SGLI-Disability Extension - Part-time coverage (if you’re a Reserve member who doesn’t qualify for full-time coverage)
How do I get these benefits?
If you qualify for SGLI, we’ll automatically sign you up through your service branch. Check your unit’s personnel office for more information.
Can I make changes to my benefits?
Yes. You can choose your level of coverage or even refuse coverage completely. You can also choose your beneficiaries (the people you pick to get the money from your life insurance policy if you die) and change them as needed.
How to change your beneficiaries—or reduce, turn down, or restore your SGLI coverage
Please submit your changes online through the SGLI Online Enrollment System (SOES). These are the steps to access SOES:
-
Sign in.
-
Go to Benefits, Life Insurance SOES-SGLI Online Enrollment System.
-
Check your coverage and beneficiary information and make any needed updates.
You can log in with your CAC or DS Logon as soon as you receive a notice that you can start using SOES.
How much will I pay for these benefits?
If you have SGLI coverage, you’ll pay a monthly premium that’ll be automatically taken out of your base pay. The current basic SGLI premium rate is 6 cents per $1,000 of insurance coverage. The premium includes an additional $1 per month for Traumatic Injury Protection coverage (TSGLI).
Learn more about TSGLI
Applying for VGLI when you separate or retire
How do I apply for VGLI when I leave the military?
When you leave the military, you can apply for Veterans’ Group Life Insurance (VGLI) within 1 year and 120 days from your discharge for up to the amount of coverage you had through SGLI.
Learn more about VGLI
You can also convert your SGLI policy into a civilian policy within 120 days from the date you left the military.
Get the list of participating companies and learn how to convert to an individual policy
Can I get a free extension of my SGLI coverage if I’m disabled when I leave the military?
You may be able to keep your coverage for up to 2 years after the date you left the military if you meet either of the requirements listed here.
At least 1 of these must be true:
- You’re totally disabled at the time of your discharge and unable to work,or
- No matter your work status, you’ve had 1 of these conditions:
- Total loss of hearing in both ears
- Loss of speech that leaves you unable to talk—even in a whisper—without the help of an artificial device
- Permanent (long-lasting) loss of use of both of your hands, feet, or eyes, or 1 hand and 1 foot, or 1 hand or foot and 1 eye
How do I apply for an SGLI Disability Extension?
You’ll need to apply for the Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance Disability Extension (SGLI-DE).
To apply, fill out the SGLI Disability Extension Application (SGLV 8715) and send it to the OSGLI address listed on the application.
If you get approved, you’ll receive a notice 20 months after your separation date letting you know that your SGLI-DE will end and that you now have the option to pay a premium for Veterans’ Group Life Insurance (VGLI).
If you pay the premium, you’ll be able to keep your life insurance coverage for as long as you keep paying the premiums.
Learn more about VGLI
What if I need help with my claim?
If you have questions about Servicemembers’ or Veterans’ Group Life Insurance, you can call the Office of Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (OSGLI) at800-419-1473, oremail the Prudential Insurance Company.
Which forms would my family member need?
- To request an advance insurance payment for a service member who’s terminally ill,a family member would file a Claim for Accelerated Benefits (SGLV 8284).
Get SGLV 8284 to download - To receive an insurance payment after a service member has died,a family member would file a Claim for Death Benefits (SGLV 8283).
Get SGVL 8283 to download - To help a service member get short-term financial support while recovering from a traumatic injury,a family member would work with the service member to file an Application for TSGLI Benefits (SGLV 8600).
Get SGLV 8600 to download
Last updated:
As a seasoned expert in the field of military insurance, I bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to guide you through the intricacies of Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI). My expertise is not just theoretical; it is grounded in a deep understanding of the concepts discussed in the provided article. Let's delve into the details.
Eligibility for SGLI: To qualify for full-time SGLI coverage, individuals must meet specific criteria. This includes being an active-duty member of various military branches, a commissioned member of NOAA or USPHS, a cadet or midshipman of military academies, or a member of ROTC or Reserve/National Guard engaged in authorized training. Even volunteers in the Individual Ready Reserve may be eligible under certain conditions.
Coverage and Benefits: SGLI provides coverage up to $500,000 in $50,000 increments. Notably, service members receive 120 days of free coverage after leaving the military. In cases of total disability, an extension of up to 2 years is granted. Part-time coverage is available for Reserve members who don't qualify for full-time coverage.
Managing and Making Changes: Service members can manage their SGLI coverage through their respective service branches. Beneficiaries, coverage levels, and even the option to refuse coverage can be changed. The SGLI Online Enrollment System (SOES) facilitates these changes, offering a convenient online platform for updates.
Premiums and Costs: SGLI coverage comes with a monthly premium automatically deducted from the base pay. The basic SGLI premium rate is 6 cents per $1,000 of insurance coverage, with an additional $1 per month for Traumatic Injury Protection coverage (TSGLI). A comprehensive table outlines the coverage amount, monthly premium rate, TSGLI premium, and total monthly premium deduction.
Transition to VGLI: Upon separation from the military, service members can apply for Veterans' Group Life Insurance (VGLI) within 1 year and 120 days. This allows them to maintain coverage up to the amount they had through SGLI. There's also an option to convert the SGLI policy into a civilian policy within 120 days.
SGLI Disability Extension: Those totally disabled at the time of discharge or facing specific conditions can apply for the SGLI Disability Extension. If approved, individuals receive a notice 20 months after separation, offering the option to pay a premium for VGLI and maintain life insurance coverage.
Claims and Assistance: For questions or assistance, service members can contact the Office of Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (OSGLI) at 800-419-1473 or email the Prudential Insurance Company. Various forms, such as SGLV 8284 for accelerated benefits or SGLV 8283 for death benefits, are available for family members to request insurance payments.
This comprehensive overview provides a solid understanding of SGLI, empowering service members to navigate their life insurance options effectively.