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. You may be eligible for full-time SGLI coverage if you meet at least one of these requirements. At least one of these must be true: You may be eligible for full-time SGLI coverage if you meet both of these requirements. Both of these must be true: Note: You must pay your premiums directly. Am I eligible for SGLI?
If you’re in nonpay status with the Ready Reserve or National Guard
Who’s covered?
Accessing and managing SGLI while you’re serving
What kind of life insurance benefits can I get with SGLI?
You can get:
- Coverage up to the top limit of $400,000—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). To access SOES:
Go to milConnect
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.
Learn more about 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
These are the SGLI premium rates effective July 1, 2019:
Monthly premium rate (in U.S. $) | 24.00 | TSGLI premium (in U.S. $) | 1.00 | Total monthly premium deduction (in U.S. $) | 25.00 |
Monthly premium rate (in U.S. $) | 21.00 | TSGLI premium (in U.S. $) | 1.00 | Total monthly premium deduction (in U.S. $) | 22.00 |
Monthly premium rate (in U.S. $) | 18.00 | TSGLI premium (in U.S. $) | 1.00 | Total monthly premium deduction (in U.S. $) | 19.00 |
Monthly premium rate (in U.S. $) | 15.00 | TSGLI premium (in U.S. $) | 1.00 | Total monthly premium deduction (in U.S. $) | 16.00 |
Monthly premium rate (in U.S. $) | 12.00 | TSGLI premium (in U.S. $) | 1.00 | Total monthly premium deduction (in U.S. $) | 13.00 |
Monthly premium rate (in U.S. $) | 9.00 | TSGLI premium (in U.S. $) | 1.00 | Total monthly premium deduction (in U.S. $) | 10.00 |
Monthly premium rate (in U.S. $) | 6.00 | TSGLI premium (in U.S. $) | 1.00 | Total monthly premium deduction (in U.S. $) | 7.00 |
Monthly premium rate (in U.S. $) | 3.00 | TSGLI premium (in U.S. $) | 1.00 | Total monthly premium deduction (in U.S. $) | 4.00 |
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 one 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 one 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 one hand and one foot, or one hand or foot and one 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.
Download SGLV 8715 (PDF)
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) at 800-419-1473, or email 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).
Download SGLV 8284 (PDF) - 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).
Download SGLV 8600 (PDF)