Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI)
Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI) is low-cost group term life insurance available to eligible members of the uniformed services. Coverage is generally automatic for those who qualify, requires no medical examination or health underwriting, and is administered under the supervision of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Premiums are deducted from military pay.
Eligibility
Full-time SGLI coverage is available to:
- Active-duty members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Space Force, and Coast Guard
- Commissioned officers of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS)
- Members of the Ready Reserve and National Guard who meet the applicable duty and training requirements
Part-time coverage rules apply to certain Reserve and Guard members on shorter orders. Eligibility and coverage status are managed through official military personnel and DEERS systems.
Coverage Amounts and Premiums
Coverage is available in increments of $50,000 up to a maximum of $500,000.
Current basic premium rate (effective July 1, 2025): 5 cents per $1,000 of coverage per month, plus a flat $1 per month for Traumatic Injury Protection (TSGLI).
| Coverage amount | Basic SGLI premium | TSGLI | Total monthly deduction |
|---|---|---|---|
| $500,000 | $25.00 | $1.00 | $26.00 |
| $400,000 | $20.00 | $1.00 | $21.00 |
| $250,000 | $12.50 | $1.00 | $13.50 |
| $100,000 | $5.00 | $1.00 | $6.00 |
| $50,000 | $2.50 | $1.00 | $3.50 |
Premiums do not vary by age, rank, or health status. Members may reduce or decline coverage, or later increase it (up to the maximum), through the SGLI Online Enrollment System (SOES) on milConnect.
Traumatic Injury Protection (TSGLI)
TSGLI is automatically included with full-time SGLI for the $1 monthly charge. It pays a lump-sum benefit of $25,000 to $100,000 directly to the service member for qualifying traumatic injuries that result in scheduled losses (for example, loss of limb, sight, or hearing; certain severe burns; prolonged hospitalization; or loss of ability to perform activities of daily living). The injury must occur while SGLI is in force, and the scheduled loss must generally occur within two years of the injury. TSGLI benefits are separate from any SGLI death benefit.
Family Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (FSGLI)
Service members with full-time SGLI may obtain coverage on a spouse and dependent children:
- Spouse: up to $100,000 (cannot exceed the member’s own SGLI amount), in $10,000 increments. Premiums are age-based and paid by the service member.
- Each dependent child: $10,000 at no additional cost.
Spouse premiums (effective July 1, 2025) range from $4.00 per month for $100,000 (spouse under age 35) to $40.00 per month (spouse age 60 and older). Coverage ends if the member’s SGLI ends or if the spouse or child ceases to be eligible.
Managing Coverage and Beneficiaries
Service members use the SGLI Online Enrollment System (SOES) via milConnect to:
- View or change coverage amount
- Designate or update beneficiaries
- Decline or restore coverage
Beneficiary designations should be reviewed after major life events (marriage, divorce, birth of a child, etc.). An outdated designation controls payment even if personal circumstances have changed.
Coverage After Separation
When a member leaves the service, SGLI coverage continues for 120 days at no cost. Totally disabled members may qualify for an extended free period (SGLI Disability Extension) of up to two years. During or after the free period, eligible veterans may apply to convert to Veterans’ Group Life Insurance (VGLI). Conversion to an individual commercial policy is also available under program rules.
Practical Notes
- SGLI is term insurance with no cash value.
- Coverage is generally automatic; members who wish to carry less than the maximum or to decline coverage must take affirmative action in SOES.
- Keep beneficiary information current.
- TSGLI claims are filed separately from any death claim and require documentation of the qualifying injury and scheduled loss.
- Official rates, forms, and detailed eligibility rules are maintained on va.gov and through the member’s service personnel systems.
SGLI provides a standardized, guaranteed-issue death benefit and traumatic-injury protection for eligible service members at a uniform low cost. Members should periodically confirm their coverage amount, beneficiary designations, and FSGLI elections in SOES, and should understand the conversion options available at separation.
Related topics: Veterans’ Group Life Insurance, TRICARE Program, and Military Insurance overview. Always verify current rates and rules on the official VA life-insurance pages, as program details can change.er a deployment-related injury, he receives TSGLI benefits to support his rehabilitation costs, while his family is financially protected by his life insurance coverage.