Military Insurance in the United States
Military insurance programs provide life, health, and related coverage tailored to the circumstances of active-duty service members, National Guard and Reserve members, retirees, veterans, and their eligible family members. The principal programs are administered or supervised by the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs. They emphasize group pricing, limited or no medical underwriting for core life products, and coordination with civilian systems such as Medicare.
This page supplies a structural overview. Detailed rules, current rates, and application procedures appear in the dedicated guides linked below.
Life Insurance Programs
Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI)
Low-cost group term life insurance for eligible active-duty members, certain Reserve and National Guard members, and commissioned officers of NOAA and the Public Health Service. Coverage is available in $50,000 increments up to $500,000. The current basic premium is 5 cents per $1,000 of coverage per month, plus $1 per month for Traumatic Injury Protection (TSGLI). Maximum coverage ($500,000) costs $26 per month total. Premiums are deducted from military pay. Coverage is generally automatic; members may reduce, increase (within limits), or decline it through the SGLI Online Enrollment System (SOES).
See: Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance.
Traumatic Injury Protection (TSGLI)
Automatically included with full-time SGLI for the $1 monthly charge. Pays a lump-sum benefit of $25,000–$100,000 to the service member for qualifying traumatic injuries that produce scheduled losses (for example, loss of limb, sight, or hearing; certain prolonged hospitalizations or losses of activities of daily living).
Family Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (FSGLI)
Optional coverage on the spouse (up to $100,000, not exceeding the member’s SGLI amount) and $10,000 on each dependent child (child coverage at no additional premium). Spouse premiums are age-based and paid by the service member.
Veterans’ Group Life Insurance (VGLI)
Renewable term life insurance available to veterans who had SGLI. Application window is 1 year and 120 days after separation. No health questions if applied for within the first 240 days. Coverage may continue for life at age-banded premiums (current table effective July 1, 2025). A premium holiday applies to eligible VGLI policies from November 1, 2026, through January 31, 2027.
See: Veterans’ Group Life Insurance.
Health Coverage — TRICARE
TRICARE is the Defense Department health-care program covering active-duty members, retirees, Reserve and Guard members (under specific plans), and eligible family members. It combines military treatment facilities with civilian networks.
Principal options include:
- TRICARE Prime — managed-care style with a primary-care manager and referrals; generally lowest out-of-pocket costs for many services.
- TRICARE Select — preferred-provider style with greater choice and higher cost-sharing.
- TRICARE For Life — secondary coverage for Medicare-eligible beneficiaries who maintain Medicare Parts A and B.
- TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS) and TRICARE Retired Reserve (TRR) — premium-based plans for qualifying Reserve and retired Reserve members.
- TRICARE Young Adult — premium-based coverage for eligible adult children ages 21–26.
Enrollment fees, deductibles, copayments, and catastrophic caps vary by plan, beneficiary category, and Group A/B status (determined by the sponsor’s initial entry date). Pharmacy benefits are available at military pharmacies, through home delivery, and at network retail pharmacies.
See: TRICARE Program.
Dental and Vision
Dental and vision coverage for many family members and retirees is obtained through the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP) or the TRICARE Dental Program, depending on status. These are separate from medical TRICARE and require their own enrollment decisions, usually during the annual open season.
Distinctive Features of Military Insurance
- Guaranteed-issue access to SGLI (and to VGLI within the early post-separation window) without medical underwriting.
- Uniform, relatively low group life-insurance premiums that do not vary by age or health while the member remains in SGLI.
- Continuity mechanisms (120-day free SGLI extension, VGLI conversion rights, TRICARE For Life coordination with Medicare).
- Specific injury benefits (TSGLI) that address risks more common in military service.
- Centralized eligibility tracking through DEERS and online management tools (milConnect, SOES).
Practical Considerations
- Confirm SGLI coverage amount and beneficiaries in SOES after any life event.
- Apply for VGLI within 240 days of separation if guaranteed issue is important.
- Understand Group A versus Group B cost differences under TRICARE for retirees.
- Coordinate TRICARE For Life with Medicare enrollment at age 65.
- Review dental and vision options annually during FEDVIP/TRICARE open seasons.
- Keep DEERS information current; eligibility for most benefits depends on it.
Summary
Military insurance in the United States centers on SGLI/FSGLI/TSGLI for life and traumatic-injury protection while serving, VGLI for post-service life coverage, and TRICARE for health care across the beneficiary life cycle. The programs prioritize accessibility, group pricing, and transition support. Service members and veterans should verify current premiums, enrollment windows, and plan rules on the official VA and TRICARE websites, because rates and administrative details are updated periodically.
Related guides on this site
Always consult official sources (va.gov, tricare.mil, milConnect) or a qualified benefits counselor for decisions that affect eligibility or coverage.