FAMILYVA program
Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI)
Low-cost term life insurance of up to $500,000 for active duty servicemembers and members of the Ready Reserve, automatically enrolled with opt-down or opt-out options.
Available to servicemembers on active duty or in the Ready Reserve
Example value
Up to $500K coverageMax elected coverageStep-by-step guide
What you get
Low-cost group term life insurance while you serve. Your service branch signs you up, the premium comes out of your base pay, and coverage stays free for 120 days after you leave.
How SGLI works while you serve
- A service status that carries full-time SGLIActive duty in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard; a commissioned member of NOAA or the U.S. Public Health Service; a cadet or midshipman at a service academy; ROTC in authorized training; Ready Reserve or National Guard assigned to a unit with at least 12 drill periods a year; or an Individual Ready Reserve volunteer in a mobilization category. Reserve members without full-time coverage can have part-time coverage.
- Your coverage choiceCoverage starts at the maximum. You can choose less, in set steps, or decline it, and restore it later. A choice to reduce or decline is made in writing or online and takes effect at the end of the month it is received.
- The beneficiaries you nameYou pick who gets the money if you die and can change it at any time without the consent of the people named before. The choice stays in place until you change it, leave all service, or start duty in another uniformed service.
Source: VA.gov: Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI) (opens in new tab); VA Life Insurance: SGLI Online Enrollment System (SOES) (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 9.3(a) (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 9.23(a) (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 9.4(a) (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 9.4(b) (opens in new tab)
Where are you in service?
- Coverage while you serve
Your service branch signs you up for full-time SGLI automatically. The premium comes out of your base pay. You choose how much coverage to keep, or decline it, and you name who gets the money if you die.
Source: VA.gov: Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI) (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 9.3(a) (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 9.23(a) (opens in new tab); VA Life Insurance: SGLI Online Enrollment System (SOES) (opens in new tab)
- Leaving the military: the 120 days and what comes next
SGLI keeps covering you free for 120 days from the date you leave the military. To keep life insurance after that, you can move to Veterans' Group Life Insurance (VGLI) or convert to a permanent individual policy with a participating company.
- A VGLI application within 1 year and 120 daysYou can apply for VGLI up to 1 year and 120 days after you leave, for up to the amount of SGLI you had. Within 240 days of leaving, no health review is needed; after that, you send evidence of good health. VGLI starts on the 121st day when the application and first premium arrive within the first 120 days.
- Or a permanent policy within 120 daysWithin 120 days of discharge you can convert SGLI to a permanent individual policy, such as whole life, with a company on VA's list of participating companies, without proof of good health. The company may ask health questions, but answering them is not required. The new policy cannot be term insurance.
Source: VA.gov: Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI) (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 9.2(b)(1) (opens in new tab); VA.gov: Veterans' Group Life Insurance (VGLI) (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 9.2(c) (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 9.9(b) (opens in new tab); SGL-133 (opens in new tab)
What to gather, and what it shows VA
| Document | What it shows | How VA gets it | Have it? |
|---|---|---|---|
| SGLI coverage certificate The certificate SOES shows for full-time SGLI, with your coverage amount, spouse coverage, and beneficiaries. You can view, save, print, or email it. | Your current coverage and who is named | Sign in to milConnect with your CAC or DS Logon and open SOES (Manage my SGLI). | Yes |
| SGLV 8286, SGLI election and certificate The paper form for choosing coverage and naming beneficiaries. Members with part-time coverage use it, and so can a member without computer access. | Your coverage choice and beneficiaries on paper | Download it from VA's life insurance forms page and give it to your branch of service personnel office. | |
| DD214, or orders and final LES for Guard and Reserve Proof of separation. Active duty uses the DD214. Guard and Reserve use the NGB-22, DD214-1, or written orders, plus the final Leave and Earnings Statement. | The date you left, which starts the 120 days | You get it when you separate. Give a copy to the agent of the company you convert with. | Yes |
| SGLI Conversion Notice A notice from OSGLI that confirms the SGLI coverage you are converting. | How much coverage you can convert | Call OSGLI at the number on VA's conversion list to ask for it, then give it to the agent. | Yes |
| SGLV 8714, Application for VGLI The VGLI application for mail or fax. VGLI can also be applied for online through OSGLI. | Your request for VGLI and the amount you want | Apply online through OSGLI, or fill out the form and mail or fax it to OSGLI at the address on VA.gov. |
Coverage and beneficiary changes go through your service branch or SOES, and VGLI or conversion papers go to the insurer. BeneVets does not ask for any of them.
Steps, in order
- Get free help from a VSO
Free help: an accredited VSO can file this with you. Find one near you in the BeneVets VSO directory at Find an accredited VSO near you.
Source: VA.gov: accredited representatives (opens in new tab)
- Check your coverage and beneficiaries
Sign in to milConnect with your CAC or DS Logon, select Manage my SGLI, and review your coverage amount and beneficiaries in SOES.
Source: VA.gov: Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI) (opens in new tab); VA Life Insurance: SGLI Online Enrollment System (SOES) (opens in new tab)
- Change coverage or beneficiaries
In SOES you can reduce, decline, or restore coverage and add or change beneficiaries. Beneficiary changes and restored coverage take effect right away; a reduction or cancellation takes effect on the first day of the next month. With part-time coverage, use form SGLV 8286 through your personnel office.
Source: 38 CFR 9.3(a) (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 9.23(a) (opens in new tab); VA Life Insurance: SGLI Online Enrollment System (SOES) (opens in new tab); SGLV 8286 (opens in new tab)
- Before you separate, pick what comes next
SGLI covers you free for 120 days after you leave. Decide between VGLI, a permanent policy with a participating company, or other coverage before that time runs out, so you are not left without coverage. A permanent policy must be started within the 120 days; VGLI stays open for 1 year and 120 days.
Source: VA.gov: Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI) (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 9.2(b)(1) (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 9.2(c) (opens in new tab)
- Apply for VGLI
Apply online through OSGLI or with form SGLV 8714 by mail or fax. Applying within 240 days of leaving means no health review. The last day to apply is 1 year and 120 days after you leave.
Source: VA.gov: Veterans' Group Life Insurance (VGLI) (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 9.2(c) (opens in new tab)
- Or convert to a permanent policy
Within 120 days of discharge, contact a company on VA's list of participating companies. Ask OSGLI for an SGLI Conversion Notice and give the agent the notice and your separation papers.
Source: SGL-133 (opens in new tab); VA.gov: Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI) (opens in new tab)
- Totally disabled? Apply for the free extension
Fill out form SGLV 8715 and send it to OSGLI at the address on the form to keep SGLI free for up to 2 years after you leave.
Source: VA.gov: Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI) (opens in new tab); VA.gov: totally disabled or terminally ill policyholders (opens in new tab)
Good to know
If you are totally disabled at discharge, or have lost the use of both hands, both feet, or both eyes, among other listed losses, SGLI can continue free for up to 2 years through the SGLI Disability Extension. You apply with form SGLV 8715 to the Office of Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (OSGLI). When the extension ends, you can move to VGLI.
Source: VA.gov: Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI) (opens in new tab); VA.gov: totally disabled or terminally ill policyholders (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 9.2(b)(2) (opens in new tab)
Full-time SGLI includes traumatic injury protection (TSGLI), paid for by a small flat premium added to your SGLI premium, and family coverage (FSGLI) for a spouse and dependent children.
Source: VA.gov: Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI) (opens in new tab); VA Life Insurance: SGLI Online Enrollment System (SOES) (opens in new tab)
BeneVets is informational and is not an accredited representative. Free help: an accredited VSO can work through VA benefits with you at no cost. Find an accredited VSO near you
Sources checked October 16, 2026: 38 CFR 9.2(b)(1) (opens in new tab), 38 CFR 9.2(b)(2) (opens in new tab), 38 CFR 9.2(c) (opens in new tab), 38 CFR 9.3(a) (opens in new tab), 38 CFR 9.4(a) (opens in new tab), 38 CFR 9.4(b) (opens in new tab), 38 CFR 9.9(b) (opens in new tab), 38 CFR 9.23(a) (opens in new tab), VA.gov: Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI) (opens in new tab), VA.gov: Veterans' Group Life Insurance (VGLI) (opens in new tab), VA.gov: totally disabled or terminally ill policyholders (opens in new tab), VA Life Insurance: SGLI Online Enrollment System (SOES) (opens in new tab), SGLV 8286 (opens in new tab), VA Life Insurance: forms and downloads (opens in new tab), SGL-133 (opens in new tab), VA.gov: accredited representatives (opens in new tab)