Veterans’ Group Life Insurance (VGLI): 2026 Guide
Veterans’ Group Life Insurance (VGLI) is the Department of Veterans Affairs program that allows eligible veterans to convert Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI) into renewable term life coverage after separation from service. Coverage ranges from $10,000 to $500,000 (in $10,000 increments) and cannot exceed the SGLI amount held at separation. Premiums are based solely on age band and coverage amount; they are not affected by gender, tobacco use, or health status. Rates step up every five years.
Important 2026 update — Premium holiday
Eligible VGLI policyholders do not pay premiums from November 1, 2026, through January 31, 2027. Coverage continues during this three-month period (described by VA as the first-ever VGLI premium holiday). The holiday applies automatically to policies that are active on November 1, 2026. It does not apply to SGLI, Family SGLI (FSGLI), or VALife.
New coverage that becomes effective during the holiday period still requires the first premium payment to activate the policy. Holiday months that fall after the effective date are then premium-free. If premiums for November 2026–January 2027 were paid in advance, the overpayment is applied as a credit toward future premiums or may be refunded upon request under OSGLI procedures. The holiday does not forgive balances owed before November 2026; any past-due amounts must still be paid. Policies that lapsed or were cancelled on or before October 31, 2026, do not qualify.
Current Monthly Premium Rates (Effective July 1, 2025)
Rates are set by the VA and scale proportionally. The table below shows common coverage amounts.
| Age band | Per $10,000 | $100,000 | $250,000 | $500,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29 and under | $0.60 | $6.00 | $15.00 | $30.00 |
| 30–34 | $0.80 | $8.00 | $20.00 | $40.00 |
| 35–39 | $1.00 | $10.00 | $25.00 | $50.00 |
| 40–44 | $1.40 | $14.00 | $35.00 | $70.00 |
| 45–49 | $1.90 | $19.00 | $47.50 | $95.00 |
| 50–54 | $2.90 | $29.00 | $72.50 | $145.00 |
| 55–59 | $5.00 | $50.00 | $125.00 | $250.00 |
| 60–64 | $8.50 | $85.00 | $212.50 | $425.00 |
| 65–69 | $13.80 | $138.00 | $345.00 | $690.00 |
| 70–74 | $21.50 | $215.00 | $537.50 | $1,075.00 |
| 75–79 | $38.50 | $385.00 | $962.50 | $1,925.00 |
| 80 and over | $44.00 | $440.00 | $1,100.00 | $2,200.00 |
Source: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs VGLI premium tables, effective July 1, 2025 (confirmed current as of late 2026). Full $10,000-step tables are available on va.gov.
Premiums were reduced effective July 1, 2025. The program currently covers approximately 457,000 participants. See the official VA rate tables for the amounts now in force.
Eligibility and Application Deadlines
You may apply for VGLI if you had SGLI coverage and are within 1 year and 120 days of one of the following:
- Release from active duty of 31 or more days
- Retirement or release from the Ready Reserve or National Guard
- Assignment to the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) or Inactive National Guard (ING)
- Placement on the Temporary Disability Retirement List (TDRL)
- Separation from part-time SGLI coverage after sustaining a disability that prevents qualification for insurance at standard premium rates
Application windows
- Within 240 days after the qualifying event: no health questions or medical underwriting.
- After 240 days up to 1 year + 120 days: evidence of good health is required.
Initial coverage cannot exceed the SGLI amount held at the time of the qualifying event. Veterans under age 60 may later increase coverage by $25,000 on the first anniversary and every five years thereafter (up to the $500,000 maximum), subject to the program rules in effect at the time of the increase.
Key Features and Limitations
- Renewable term insurance with no cash value, loans, or paid-up options.
- Coverage continues for life as long as premiums are paid.
- Premiums rise when the insured enters the next five-year age band.
- Beneficiaries can be updated at any time.
- Conversion to an individual permanent (whole life) policy is available without a medical examination. Conversion is limited to permanent life insurance; term, variable, and universal life policies are not offered under the conversion privilege. Contact the Office of Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance for participating insurers and current procedures.
VGLI is administered by the Office of Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (OSGLI) under VA supervision.
When VGLI Is Typically Most Useful
VGLI’s guaranteed-issue window (first 240 days) makes it especially valuable for veterans who have service-connected conditions or other health issues that could result in higher rates or declination in the commercial market. For healthy veterans who can qualify for private term life insurance, a level-premium commercial policy is often less expensive over multi-decade horizons because private premiums do not automatically step up every five years.
Veterans frequently compare:
- Cost trajectory of VGLI versus a 20- or 30-year level term policy
- Need for lifetime coverage versus a defined term
- Ability to pass medical underwriting
Practical Steps
- Confirm your separation (or other qualifying) date and SGLI amount.
- Apply within 240 days if you want to avoid health questions.
- Choose coverage in $10,000 increments up to your SGLI maximum.
- Set up autopay or another reliable payment method to prevent lapse.
- Review coverage periodically, especially before entering a higher age band or when health or family needs change.
- During the November 2026–January 2027 premium holiday, verify that your policy remains active and that any bank bill-pay instructions are adjusted if necessary.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does $500,000 of VGLI cost at age 50?
$145 per month (ages 50–54 band).
Does the premium stay the same?
No. It increases when you move into the next five-year age band.
Is there a medical exam?
Not if you apply within 240 days of the qualifying event. After that window, evidence of good health is required.
Can I increase coverage later?
Yes, in $25,000 increments under the age-60 rules described above, provided the policy remains in force.
Does the 2026–2027 premium holiday apply to everyone?
Only to VGLI policies that are active on November 1, 2026. It does not apply to SGLI, FSGLI, or VALife. The holiday does not forgive balances owed before November 2026.
Can I convert VGLI to a private policy?
Yes. Conversion is available to an individual permanent (whole life) policy without a medical examination. Term, variable, and universal life options are not part of the conversion privilege.
Where do I apply or manage my policy?
Through the official VA/OSGLI channels listed on va.gov/life-insurance. Forms and contact information are provided there.
Summary
VGLI provides a straightforward way for veterans to continue group term life insurance after military service, with guaranteed issue available in the first 240 days and lifetime renewability. Premiums are age-banded and rise over time. The current rate table (effective July 1, 2025) and the three-month premium holiday from November 2026 through January 2027 are the most important current facts for policyholders and applicants. Veterans in good health should compare VGLI quotes with commercial level-term offers; those with health concerns that could affect private underwriting often find VGLI’s guaranteed-issue feature decisive. Conversion, when desired, is limited to permanent whole-life policies without medical underwriting.
Always verify the latest rates, eligibility rules, and holiday details on the official VA website (va.gov/life-insurance/options-eligibility/vgli/), as program parameters can change.
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