Veterans Group Life Insurance


What is Veterans Group Life Insurance (VGLI) ?


A post-separation life insurance program called Veterans' Group Life Insurance (VGLI) enables soldiers to change their Servicemember Group Life Insurance (SGLI) coverage to renewable term insurance. Regardless of health, this coverage is renewable every five years and can be kept for a lifetime.

Service members can switch their SGLI coverage to renewable term insurance under the VGLI life insurance program. If you continue to make premium payments under Veterans Group Life Insurance, you might be eligible to keep your life insurance coverage after you leave the military. For former service members who want to keep the group life insurance they had while they were on active duty, there is Veterans Group Life Insurance.

When they leave the service, those who have full-time SGLI coverage are eligible for VGLI. Although VGLI is handled by the Office of Servicemembers Group Life Insurance, it is overseen by the VA, just like SGLI. One of many low-cost insurance programs created by the Department of Veterans Affairs, it offers insurance benefits to soldiers and veterans who might not otherwise be qualified to receive insurance benefits from private companies because of risks associated with military service or a disability related to that service.

Once enrolled in Veterans Group Life Insurance, you'll be able to extend your coverage by $25,000 on your one-year anniversary and once every five years after that, up to the maximum allowed by law $400,000, until you turn 60. No evidence of good health is necessary.

How Does Veterans Group Life Insurance Works ?


An ex-service member who chooses Veterans Group Life Insurance (VGLI) is officially transferring their Servicemembers Group Life Insurance (SGLI) policy, a type of term life insurance provided to members of the military while they are on active duty. After they become veterans, they have one year and 120 days to use this choice.

Veterans Group Life Insurance provides a number of advantages not found in the market for private life insurance. Age is the only factor taken into account when determining premium rates; gender, cigarette usage, employment, and leisure activities are all factors that might raise premiums for private insurance policies. The policy also doesn't expire at a specific age (such as 65), rather, it stays in effect as long as the policyholder continues to pay the payments.

Depending on how much SGLI coverage the veteran received when they left the military, the VGLI offers life insurance benefits ranging from $10,000 to $400,000. Veteran may initially be eligible for up to the same level of coverage as they had through their Servicemembers Group Life Insurance.

Veterans may choose to reduce their coverage levels by $10,000 increments. Additionally, after enrolling, coverage may be enhanced by $25,000 every five years. However, up until the veteran becomes 60, the maximum compensation is $400,000 per year.

Key Facts of Veterans Group Life Insurance


  • After you leave the military, the Servicemembers Group Life Insurance (SGLI) program can be converted into Veterans' Group Life Insurance (VGLI), a renewable five-year term life insurance policy.
  • VA offers life insurance policies that give Servicemembers, Veterans, and their families financial stability and peace of mind.
  • Veterans Group Life Insurance is a term policy for former service members that carries on the group coverage they enjoyed when they were in the military on active duty.
  • Veterans may use this option after one year and 120 days from the day they leave the service.
  • VGLI provides life insurance benefits ranging from $10,000 to $400,000, depending on how much coverage the veteran received when they left the military.
  • Low rates and the absence of a qualifying health assessment are two further advantages of VGLI (if coverage is elected within a certain time frame).
  • Upon separation from service, those who have SGLI coverage are qualified for VGLI.

Who is Eligible for Veterans Group Life Insurance ?


Veterans who want to qualify for VGLI must meet specific eligibility standards. If you satisfy at least one of these conditions, you might be qualified for VGLI. At least one of these must be true :
  • You had part-time Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI) as a member of the National Guard or Reserve, and while on duty, including direct travel to and from duty, you sustained an injury or disability (damage to your body or mind that makes it difficult for you to do daily tasks, including meaningful work), which disqualified you for standard premium insurance rates.
  • You experienced SGLI while serving in the military, and you have less than 1 year and 120 days before your discharge from an active-duty assignment that lasted at least 31 days.
  • You will retire or be released from the National Guard or Ready Reserve in exactly 1 year and 120 days.
  • You have 1 year and 120 days left before being assigned to the Inactive National Guard (ING) or the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) of a branch of the armed forces. Members of the Inactive Reserve Corps of the United States Public Health Service are included in this (IRC).
  • You will soon be added to the Temporary Disability Retirement List (TDRL) in 1 year and 120 days.

Health Requirements for VGLI


No health examination or assessment is required of veterans who apply to convert their SGLI to VGLI within the first 240 days after finishing their service. In other words, approval of the policy is not dependent upon excellent physical or mental health. They must provide proof of their excellent health if they enroll after the initial 240-day period.

Special Considerations


The most notable of Veterans Group Life Insurance many advantages is its comparatively low premium costs. To get the greatest life insurance policy for their particular situation, it's still vital for each veteran to compare various policies, as is the case with most types of life insurance.

You have the choice to change your current SGLI policy into a civilian one within 120 days of leaving service. A number of commercial insurance providers have unique policies for former service members.

A VGLI policy can also be changed into a commercial individual coverage. However, only a small number of carriers must offer the conversion policy, which must be a long-term policy like a whole life policy.

Which Life Insurance Benefits are Available Through VGLI ?


Benefits from term life insurance range from $10,000 to $400,000. Your compensation will depend on how much SGLI coverage you had prior to leaving the service. Find out more about the difference between term and whole life coverage.


Note :
You can enroll in VGLI for coverage up to the amount you got via SGLI after you leave the service. Until you reach the age of 60, you can additionally expand your coverage by $25,000 every five years, up to a maximum of $400,000.

What Coverage is Offered by the Veterans Group Life Insurance ?


The amount of SGLI coverage that a member had in effect at the time of separation from active duty or the Reserves is covered by VGLI. Veterans Group Life Insurance coverage is issued in multiples of $10,000 up to a maximum of $400,000. 

However, a service member's VGLI coverage cannot exceed their SGLI at the time of separation from the military.

Length of VGLI Coverage


SGLI coverage continues for 120 days upon discharge at no additional expense to the member, hence, VGLI will not begin to apply until the 121st day. Three times a year, VGLI applications are mailed to qualified members :
  • Usually within 60 days after separation.
  • When the SGLI free coverage period expires 120 days after separation.
  • Before the 16 month application period is over.
Applications must be addressed to the member's DD Form 214 or equivalent separation orders at the address shown there. Even if the member does not receive an application in the mail, it is still the member's responsibility to submit an application within the deadlines.

How to Apply for Veterans Group Life Insurance ?


You should get an application from the SGLI office between 45 and 60 days after your separation from service. After leaving the military, you have 1 year and 120 days to apply for VGLI.

You won't need to provide documentation proving your physical fitness if you enroll within 240 days of leaving the service. After the 240-day window has passed, you must provide proof of your excellent health.

Apply for VGLI in one of these ways :
  • Use the website of Prudential to submit an application through the Office of Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (OSGLI). (Apply online through OSGLI)
  • Apply by fax or mail. Complete the Veterans Group Life Insurance Application (SGLV 8714). Download SGLV 8714 (PDF)

Fax the form to 800-236-6142, or mail it to :

OSGLI
PO Box 41618
Philadelphia, PA 19176-9913

You must complete an Application for Reinstatement of VGLI Coverage in order to revive an expired VGLI insurance (SGLV 180). Download SGLV 180

How Much will Pay for VGLI Benefits ?


Age and desired level of insurance coverage are taken into account when calculating VGLI premium costs. VGLI Rates Chart

Payment of Premiums


You will receive a certificate of coverage and monthly bills as soon as your VGLI application is approved (unless you are a retiree and choose to have the premium payments taken directly from your retirement pay).

The payment of premiums can be done in a number of ways. The insured may receive a premium discount for some of these choices. To get the most recent premium and rate details, go to the VGLI website.

How to Choose or Update Beneficiaries ?


The people you designate to receive the proceeds from your life insurance policy in the event that you pass away can be changed at any time. One of these methods should be used to update your beneficiary information :
Fax the form to 800-236-6142, or mail it to :

OSGLI
PO Box 41618
Philadelphia, PA 19176-9913

What Forms would a Family Member Require ?

  • A Claim for Accelerated Benefits must be submitted by a family member in order to request an advance insurance payment for a terminally ill service member (SGLV 8284). Download SGLV 8284 (PDF)
  • After a service member's death, a family member would submit a Claim for Death Benefits to obtain an insurance payment (SGLV 8283). Download SGLV 8283.

How to Get Help for VGLI Claim ?


You can contact the Office of Servicemembers Group Life Insurance (OSGLI) at 800-419-1473 or send an email to the Prudential Insurance Company if you have any questions concerning Servicemembers or Veterans Group Life Insurance.

If you have questions about Servicemembers or Veterans Group Life Insurance, you can call the Office of Servicemembers Group Life Insurance (OSGLI) at 800-419-1473 or email the Prudential Insurance Company.

Contact


U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Call :800-698-2411 (TTY: 711)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)


Where can I find the amount of insurance I actually require?
The website www.insurance.va.gov provides life insurance calculators and other tools to help you decide the amount of insurance that will best serve your family's needs and assess your financial capacity based on VA or other providers' rates.

When I no longer serve, am I still eligible to file a claim under TSGLI?
If the traumatic event occurred while you were serving and SGLI-covered, then you are eligible to file a claim under TSGLI after release. Traumatic incidents that take place after service are not covered by TSGLI.

If my spouse is retired from the military but I'm still on active duty, is she still eligible for FSGLI insurance?

Yes, the status of the individual covered by SGLI determines eligibility for spousal coverage. Your spouse can be insured if you are eligible for SGLI, whether or not they are currently serving in the military, are retired, or are working as a civilian.

Who is Covered under VGLI ?
  • Veterans
  • Former service members

Can my VGLI policy be convert to a commercial policy?

Yes, you can change your coverage at any moment into a commercial (civilian) one. You won't need to show documentation proving your overall health in order to convert at the usual premium rates.

To convert your Veterans Group Life Insurance policy :
  • Select a new insurance provider. Obtain a list of the companies taking part.
  • Apply in the local sales office of the business of your choice.
  • Get a VGLI Conversion Notice letter from OSGLI attesting to your VGLI coverage, and give it to the representative who processes your application.
Note :
The conversion policy must be a long-term one, like a full life insurance policy. Other insurance products, such as term, variable life, or universal life insurance, are not convertible. The conversion insurance does not include supplemental benefits like Accidental Death and Dismemberment or Waiver of Premium for Disability.

What are the different requirements if you want to apply before or after 240 days from the date of your separation?

After your date of departure from service, you have about 16 months to submit an application for VGLI. You are no longer qualified for VGLI following this. As indicated below, there are varying requirements depending on whether you apply before or after 240 days (8 months) from the date of your separation.
  • You only need to submit the application and the first month's premium if you apply for VGLI within 240 days after your separation from service. You are not required to present proof of your good health.
  • If you apply for VGLI between 240 days and one year and 120 days after leaving the military, you must include payment for the first month's premium and documentation of your excellent health.