Servicemembers Group Life Insurance (SGLI)

SGLI offers low-cost term coverage to eligible service members. The U.S. Departme​nt of Veteran's Affairs (VA) provides life insurance as an important benefit to assist with securing the financial future of eligible members families.  To find out if you're eligible and to learn how to manage your SGLI coverage – visit:  https://www.va.gov/life-insurance/options-eligibility/sgli/

- The SGLI maximum coverage amount will increase from $400,000 to $500,000 effective March 1, 2023, due to Public Law 117-209, signed by the President on Oct. 17, 2022.  This increase will occur automatically for service members eligible for SGLI coverage, including those who previously declined SGLI coverage.

  • ​All service members eligible for SGLI coverage will have $500,000 of coverage for the entire month of March 2023.
  • Service members who reduce or decline coverage by March 31, 2023, will not be charged for the increased coverage amount for that month. They will only pay for the amount of coverage they had for February 2023.
  • Service members who elect to reduce or decline coverage after March 31, 2023, will be charged for the increased coverage amount through the month of declination and their new election will go into effect the 1st day of the month following their reduction or declination.
  • The SGLI premium rate is not changing. It remains at $.06 cents per thousand dollars of coverage. The premium for $500,000 of coverage will be $30 monthly plus $1 for Traumatic Injury Protection (TSGLI) coverage.
  • The law increasing coverage does not provide for retroactive death benefits at the higher maximum coverage amount for SGLI members who died between the date of enactment, October 17, 2022, and the effective date of the increase in coverage of March 1, 2023.

The increase in SGLI coverage does not change TSGLI coverage or current spousal coverage under Family SGLI (FSGLI).

- TSGLI Coverage:   For Service members who already had SGLI coverage, in any amount, there will be no impact on TSGLI coverage since TSGLI is automatic with SGLI coverage. However, Service members who had declined SGLI coverage previously, will now automatically also have TSGLI coverage at a cost of $1 a month.

- FSGLI Coverage:

  • ​​Spouses:  The increase to SGLI coverage will not impact a service member's current coverage for spouses.  All FSGLI spousal coverage elections will remain unchanged with the increase in SGLI coverage.
  • ​Dependent Children:  Service members who previously declined SGLI coverage and now have automatic $500,000 of SGLI coverage will also have dependent child coverage at no cost to them. This coverage will remain in effect as long as they retain SGLI coverage, even at the lowest increment of SGLI coverage, $50,000. There is no change in dependent child coverage for Service members who already had SGLI coverage.

- VGLI Coverage:  The maximum amount of Veterans' Group Life Insurance (VGLI) coverage will also increase to $500,000 for service members separating on or after March 1, 2023, with the higher amount of SGLI coverage.

  • Current VGLI members will not have their VGLI coverage increased automatically.
  • Eligible VGLI members under age 60 who have the current maximum coverage of $400,000 will be eligible to purchase additional coverage in $25,000 increments, up to $500,000 at specified VGLI coverage anniversary dates.

*Visit VA's websites for additional and most current information*

SGLI Increase to $500,000 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

https://www.benefits.va.gov/insurance/sgli-increase-faqs.asp

SGLI coverage will increase soon

https://www.va.gov/life-insurance/options-eligibility/sgli/

Learn more about the SGLI coverage increase

https://www.benefits.va.gov/INSURANCE/SGLI-increase-faqs.asp

SGLI Maximum Coverage Increase

https://www.benefits.va.gov/insurance/