Military Life Insurance: Inexpensive Coverage to Protect Your Family

Military life insurance helps protect your family financially if something happens to you. Depending on your status, disability rating, and family needs, you can choose from several programs offered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of Defense.

This guide walks you through the main types of military insurance programs, who qualifies, and how each program works. Let's dive in and explore how the various types of VA life insurance can help you secure your family's future.

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Quick Program Comparison

1. Veterans Affairs Life Insurance (VALife)

VALife is a guaranteed-acceptance whole life insurance program for Veterans with service-connected disabilities. The policy stays in place for your entire life as long as you pay your premiums.

• Eligibility:
• Coverage: Up to $40,000, sold in $10,000 steps.
• Key Features:

VALife doesn't offer policy loans or premium waivers, which are features available in some other types of life insurance. To apply, you can submit an application online through VA.gov or by mail using VA Form 29-0991.

2. Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI)

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SGLI is low-cost term life insurance for current service members. Most eligible military members are enrolled automatically when they join.

• Eligibility: Available to active duty members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard; Ready Reserve and National Guard members; cadets and midshipmen; and officers in NOAA and the U.S. Public Health Service.
• Coverage: Up to $500,000, sold in $50,000 steps.
• Key Features:

3. Veterans' Group Life Insurance (VGLI)

TSGLI gives short-term money help to service members who suffer a severe injury while serving. TSGLI is not a death benefit. The money goes straight to you to help you recover.

• Eligibility: Automatically included for anyone who carries active SGLI coverage.
• Coverage: Payments range from $25,000 to $100,000 based on the injury.
• Key Features:

To claim benefits, complete VA Form SGLV 8600 (Application for TSGLI Benefits). 

4. Veterans' Group Life Insurance (VGLI)

VGLI lets separating service members convert active SGLI coverage into a renewable life insurance policy that lasts for life.

• Eligibility: You must apply within 1 year and 120 days of leaving active duty, retiring, or separating from the Guard or Reserve.
• Coverage: Between $10,000 and $500,000 (cannot exceed the SGLI amount you had when leaving service).
• The 240-Day Rule:
• Key Features:

Apply for VGLI online at VA.gov or mail in VA Form SGLV 8714.

5. Family Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (FSGLI)

FSGLI offers coverage to the spouse and dependent children of a service member covered by full-time SGLI.

• Eligibility: Spouses and children of active duty or Ready Reserve service members covered by full SGLI.
• Coverage:
• Key Features:

6. Service-Disabled Veterans Life Insurance (S-DVI) (Legacy Program)

S-DVI is an older life insurance program that stopped taking new applicants on December 31, 2022. VALife replaced it on January 1, 2023.

• Existing Policyholders: If you got S-DVI before it closed, you can keep your policy as long as you pay premiums.
• Rules for Switching to VALife:

7. Veterans' Mortgage Life Insurance (VMLI)

VMLI helps pay off the home mortgage for severely disabled Veterans who modified their homes to fit their physical needs.

• Eligibility: Veterans under age 70 who received a Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) grant, hold the home title, and have an active mortgage on the home.
• Coverage: Up to $200,000 or the balance left on the mortgage, whichever is less.
• Key Features:

To apply, work directly with your assigned VA SAH agent and complete VA Form 29-8636.

How to Apply and Manage Your Policy

• VALife: Check your eligibility and apply online at VA.gov. You must make your first payment when you apply.
• SGLI and FSGLI: Change your coverage amounts or update your beneficiaries using SOES via milConnect.
• VGLI: Apply online at VA.gov or submit VA Form SGLV 8714. Apply within 240 days of separation to skip health checks.
• TSGLI: Submit injury claims using VA Form SGLV 8600.
• VMLI: Apply through your local VA Specially Adapted Housing agent using VA Form 29-8636.

How Families Claim Benefits

When an insured member passes away, beneficiaries submit claim forms to receive benefits:

• SGLI and VGLI: Beneficiaries fill out VA Form SGLV 8283 (Claim for Death Benefits).
• FSGLI: The service member fills out VA Form SGLV 8283A (Claim for Family Coverage Death Benefits).
• VALife, S-DVI, and VMLI: Beneficiaries fill out VA Form 29-4125 (Claim for One Sum Payment).

All claims must include a certified death certificate.

Military life insurance gives your family financial safety tailored to military service. The best option depends on your status, age, disability rating, and debt.

Check details directly on VA.gov or with the Office of Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance before signing up.