Is SGLI enough life insurance for military members and veterans?

Thank you for your service. This guide helps you make sure your own family is protected too, with facts straight from the VA.

What is SGLI and how much does it cover?

Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI) is low-cost term coverage. If you qualify, the VA says you're automatically signed up through your service branch.

Here's what the VA lists for SGLI:

• Coverage: up to $500,000, in $50,000 increments
• Cost: 5 cents per $1,000 of coverage per month, plus $1 a month for Traumatic Injury Protection (TSGLI)
• Example: $500,000 of coverage costs $26 a month
• Who qualifies: active-duty members of every branch, plus many Ready Reserve and National Guard members

You can choose and change your beneficiaries through the SGLI Online Enrollment System (SOES) on milConnect.

What does FSGLI cover for your family?

Family SGLI (FSGLI) covers your spouse and dependent children. According to the VA's FSGLI page:

• Spouses can be covered for up to $100,000, but not more than your own SGLI amount.
• Each dependent child is covered for $10,000, automatically and at no cost.
• You pay the spouse premium, which rises with your spouse's age. For a spouse under 35 with $100,000 of coverage, it's $4 a month.

If your spouse is also a service member and you married on or after January 2, 2013, they aren't covered by FSGLI automatically. You'd need to enroll them through SOES.

What happens to SGLI when you leave the military?

SGLI is tied to your service. The VA gives you 120 days of free coverage from the date you leave. After that, you have a few choices.

Converting to VGLI

Veterans' Group Life Insurance (VGLI) lets you keep coverage after you separate. The VA's VGLI page explains:

• You can get between $10,000 and $500,000, but no more than the SGLI you had when you left.
• You must apply within 1 year and 120 days of leaving the military.
• If you apply within 240 days, there's no health review. After 240 days, you'll need to show you're in good health.
• Coverage can last your whole life as long as you keep paying premiums.
• If you're below the maximum, you can add $25,000 one year after getting VGLI and every 5 years after that, up to $500,000, until age 60.

Converting to a private policy

The VA also says you can convert SGLI to a permanent individual policy within 120 days of discharge, without proof of good health.

How do VGLI premiums change as you age?

VGLI premiums are based on your age and coverage amount, and they step up as you move into each new age bracket. Here's a sample of the VA's monthly rates for $500,000 of coverage (rates as of July 1, 2025):

VGLI's strengths are easy conversion and lifelong coverage. The tradeoff is that the cost can climb a lot over time. (See why life insurance rates increase with age.)

What is VALife?

VALife is a separate VA program for veterans with service-connected disabilities. According to the VA's VALife page:

• Veterans age 80 or younger with a VA service-connected disability rating (even 0%) can apply, with no time limit.
• It offers up to $40,000 of whole life coverage, in $10,000 increments.
• Acceptance is guaranteed if you're eligible, with no health questions.
• Full coverage starts 2 years after you apply. If you pass away during that waiting period, your beneficiaries receive the premiums you paid plus interest.

VALife can be a helpful foundation, but $40,000 may not go far for a family with a mortgage.

So, is SGLI enough?

It depends on what your family would need. $500,000 may have to cover years of lost income, a mortgage, childcare and college. Our guides on how to calculate your life insurance needs and replacing your income can help you find your number.

If your number is higher than your SGLI, or you're planning for life after service, you can check your price on a private term policy in a few minutes.

Why do some service members and veterans add a private term policy?

A private policy is often used alongside SGLI or VGLI, not instead of it. Common reasons include:

• More coverage. SGLI and VGLI top out at $500,000. Private term policies can go higher, depending on underwriting.
• Coverage that isn't tied to service status. A private policy generally stays in place whether you're active duty, in the Reserves or a civilian, as long as you pay your premiums.
• Price over time. Many term policies keep the same premium for the whole term. Some veterans compare that to how VGLI rates rise with each age bracket. Prices depend on your age, health and the policy, so it's worth comparing.
• Applying while you're healthy. Underwriting looks at your health today, though approval and price always depend on underwriting. (See life insurance when you're young and healthy.)

What about war and aviation exclusions?

Some private life insurance policies may include exclusions for acts of war or certain types of aviation, such as military flying. Terms vary from policy to policy.

Before you apply, read the exclusions section and ask a licensed agent how a policy would treat your situation. Our guides to policy exclusions and life insurance for high-risk jobs explain more.

How can Evoro Life help?

Evoro Life helps people get term life insurance online and connects them with licensed insurance agents. Policies are applied for through Symetra's SwiftTerm online application and issued by Symetra Life Insurance Company, which has an A.M. Best financial strength rating of A (Excellent). You can apply for up to $5 million in coverage, most applicants don't need a medical exam, the application takes about 18 minutes, and quotes are held for 30 days. Coverage is not available in New York or South Carolina.

A licensed agent can help for free at (732) 630-1963. Or see what coverage could cost you.

Key takeaways

• SGLI offers up to $500,000 of low-cost coverage, but it's tied to your service.
• After you leave, you have 1 year and 120 days to convert to VGLI (no health review within 240 days).
• VGLI premiums are based on age and can rise steeply in later brackets.
• VALife offers up to $40,000 of guaranteed-acceptance whole life for veterans with a service-connected disability rating.
• A private term policy can add coverage, but check for war or aviation exclusions with a licensed agent.

Frequently asked questions

What is the maximum SGLI coverage?

According to the VA, SGLI coverage goes up to $500,000 in $50,000 increments. The premium is 5 cents per $1,000 of coverage plus $1 a month for traumatic injury protection (TSGLI), so full coverage costs $26 a month.

What happens to my SGLI when I leave the military?

The VA gives you 120 days of free SGLI coverage after you leave. You can convert to VGLI within 1 year and 120 days of leaving, and if you apply within 240 days you don't need a health review.

Does VGLI get more expensive as I get older?

Yes. VGLI premiums are based on your age and coverage amount and step up as you move into older age brackets. For $500,000, the VA lists a monthly rate of $40 at ages 30 to 34 and $425 at ages 60 to 64.

Can I have SGLI and a private life insurance policy at the same time?

Generally, yes. Many people use a private term policy to add coverage on top of SGLI or VGLI. Underwriting depends on your health, job and other factors, so a licensed agent can help you understand your options.

Do private life insurance policies cover deaths in combat?

It depends on the policy. Some private policies may include war or aviation exclusions. Read the exclusions carefully and ask a licensed agent before you apply.