Servicemembers' & Veterans' Group Life Insurance
VGLI Online Policy Access
Coverage and Features
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Insurance Coverage
- SGLI
- VGLI
- Family SGLI
- SGLI Traumatic Injury Protection
Family SGLI Frequently Asked Questions
Below you will find the answers to some frequently asked questions concerning Family Coverage as well as links to family coverage forms.
Eligibility
Amount of Coverage
Reducing and Declining Coverage
Premiums
Effective Date for Family Coverage
Termination of Family Coverage
Conversion
Filing a Claim
Payment of Proceeds
Forms
Eligibility
Who Is Eligible for Family Coverage?
Family coverage is available for the spouses and children of:
- Active duty Servicemembers and
- Members of the Ready Reserve or Guard of a uniformed service
Note: Family coverage is available only for members insured under the SGLI program. It is not available for those insured under the VGLI program.
My father is totally dependent upon me for support. Will he be eligible for SGLI Family Coverage?
I am an active duty member but my spouse is retired military. Is my spouse eligible to be insured under SGLI Family Coverage?
Yes. Eligibility for spousal coverage is based on the status of the member covered under SGLI . All active duty members covered under SGLI are eligible to insure their spouses, regardless of whether their spouse is an active duty member, retired or a civilian.
I’m insured under SGLI and just married. My wife’s son is coming to live with us. Will he be covered under FSGLI?
Yes, he will be insured as soon as he becomes a member of your household, provided he has not yet reached age 18. He can be insured between the ages of 18 and 23, if he is pursuing a course of instruction at an approved educational institution.
I am insured under SGLI. My spouse is retired and is now insured under VGLI. Can my spouse be insured under both SGLI and VGLI? Will my spouse be required to pay premiums for both SGLI and VGLI?
Yes. Your spouse can be insured under both SGLI spousal coverage and his or her own VGLI coverage. Unless you decline coverage for your spouse, he or she will automatically be insured under SGLI spousal coverage and will also be able to maintain his or her own VGLI coverage.
Your spouse will not pay premiums for his or her spousal coverage. It is important to understand that family insurance coverage belongs to the SGLI insured member and not to the spouse. Premiums for spousal coverage will be deducted from your pay. If your spouse maintains VGLI coverage, he or she continues to pay VGLI premiums.
I am retired and covered under VGLI. My wife however is not covered under any insurance. Is there any coverage for my wife?
No, there is no Family or Spousal coverage available under the VGLI program at this time.
My spouse and I are both in the military and participate in SGLI. Can we both be covered by both basic and spousal coverage?
Yes, each of you can be insured under both basic SGLI and SGLI family coverage for the maximum coverage amount of $500,000 for each spouse. To ensure that both you and your spouse have spousal coverage, each of you must have the other listed as spouses on your DEERS record.
Are all of my children eligible for automatic family coverage?
Any unmarried dependent child under the age 18 is automatically covered under family insurance. This includes all: natural born children, legally adopted children and stepchildren who are members of the Servicemember's household. In addition, unmarried children who, after attaining the age of 18 years and until completion of education or training (but not after attaining the age of 23 years), are pursuing a course of instruction at an approved educational institution are covered. And any unmarried child who became permanently incapable of self-support before the age of 18 is covered.
What if my spouse or child suffers from a disease that makes it difficult to purchase life insurance? Will they be eligible for SGLI Family Coverage at the same premium rate?
Yes. Your spouse will be eligible for spousal coverage at the same premium rate, regardless of his or her health. However, if you decline coverage now and later want to insure your spouse, proof of his or her good health will be required.
Your dependent children, as defined above, are covered for free, regardless of their health.
If I decline coverage can I later apply for it?
Yes. You can later apply for coverage for your spouse by completing a form SGLV-8285A and providing proof of insurability (proof of good health).
How much coverage is available for my spouse?
You may purchase up to $100,000 of SGLI coverage for your spouse, in increments of $10,000. However, you may not purchase more SGLI coverage for your spouse than you have for yourself. For example, if you have $50,000 of SGLI coverage, you may purchase only $50,000 of SGLI coverage for your spouse.
How much coverage is available for my children?
Each dependent child of every active duty Servicemember, reservist or National Guard member who is insured under SGLI is automatically insured for $10,000.
My spouse and I are both active duty and insured under SGLI. We have one child. Is the amount of coverage doubled to $20,000?
No. The maximum benefit under family coverage for any one child is $10,000.
Reducing and Declining Coverage
I do not want coverage for my spouse. What must I do to decline coverage and ensure that premiums will not be deducted?
If you do not want insurance coverage for your spouse or want a reduced amount of coverage, you must complete form SGLV-8286A, Family Coverage Election, and submit the completed form to your personnel officer.
I want less than the maximum amount of coverage for my spouse. How can I reduce the amount of coverage?
If you want less than the maximum amount of coverage for your spouse ($100,000 or the amount of the members coverage, whichever is less), you must complete form SGLV-8286A, Family Coverage Election, and submit the completed form to your personnel officer.
I have notified OSGLI and VA in writing that I do not want coverage for my spouse. Do I need to do anything more?
Yes. As indicated above, you need to complete the form SGLV-8286A and provide a copy to your personnel department.
Premiums
What is the cost of coverage for my spouse?
Follow this link for the monthly premiums for coverage for your spouse based on his or her age and amount of coverage. Spousal premiums reduced effective July 1, 2010.
What is the cost of coverage for my children?
SGLI coverage for children is free.
How do I pay premiums?
The premium for your spouse will automatically be deducted from your pay until you separate from service. Coverage will continue, at no extra cost to you, for 120 days following your separation from service.
You will pay no premiums for your children, since coverage for them is free.
Will my premiums for spousal coverage automatically be deducted from my pay?
Yes. SGLI coverage for your spouse and children is automatic. Premiums for your spouse's coverage will automatically be deducted from your pay. It is important that the information concerning your spouse and children contained in your personnel and payroll files is accurate and up to date.
Will both spouses of a married active duty couple automatically be charged for spousal coverage?
Yes, premiums will automatically be deducted from each spouse's pay for coverage for his or her spouse. Each of you must register the other as your spouse in DEERS. If one or both members decline or reduce coverage for his or her spouse, they must complete a form SGLV 8286A.
Will premiums be automatically deducted for unmarried members covered under SGLI?
No. Premiums for spousal coverage will not be deducted from the pay of unmarried SGLI policyholders. Premiums will be deducted based on information contained in your personnel and payroll files. If you are not married and your records indicate so, no premium will be deducted for spousal coverage.
If I decline spousal coverage will I be entitled to a refund of any premiums deducted?
If you decline spousal coverage, your declination will not be effective until the first day of the month following your declination. Any premiums deducted prior to the effective date of your declination will not be refunded. For example, if you decline coverage by submitting the Form SGLV 8286A on March 13, 2009, that declination does not become effective until April 1, 2009 and the premiums deducted in March will not be refunded. However, if a premium is improperly deducted in the month of April, your branch of service will provide refund of that premium.
According to the Spousal premium chart on your web site, I think DFAS is deducting the wrong FSGLI premium from my military pay for my wife.
Spousal premiums are based on age brackets. When a spouse moves to a new age bracket, the new higher premium begins the first day of the month following the birth month.
For Army, Navy and Air Force, the spouse’s birth date in DEERS determines the premium rate to be collected. If the spouse’s birth date is incorrect in DEERS, the incorrect premium rate will be collected. And if the spouse’s birth date is not in DEERS, premiums will be collected at the maximum rate. Please refer the the FSGLI Procedures Guide on this site for more information about rates and collection.
Effective Date for Family Coverage
When does coverage for my spouse begin?
If you are currently married, coverage for your spouse begins the date your SGLI coverage begins. If you marry after your SGLI coverage begins, coverage for your spouse will begin on the date of your marriage.
When does coverage for my children begin?
Termination of Family Coverage
When does coverage for my spouse end?
Coverage for your spouse will end 120 days after any of the following events:
- The date you elect in writing to terminate your spouse's coverage
- The date you elect in writing to terminate your own coverage
- The date of your death
- The date of your separation from service
- The date of your divorce
However, your spouse can convert his or her coverage to a policy with a commercial company. See information under Conversion.
When does coverage for my children end?
Coverage for your children ends 120 days after any of the following events:
- The date you elect in writing to terminate your coverage
- The date your separation from service
- The date of your death
- The date your child is no longer your dependent
Conversion
Can my spouse convert his or her insurance coverage?
Yes. Your spouse may elect to convert his or her coverage to a commercial policy with a participating company within 120 days following one of the events listed above. The Office of Servicemembers' Group of Life Insurance (OSGLI) will provide you with conversion information and a list of participating companies.
Can my spouse convert his or her coverage to VGLI?
No, VGLI coverage is not available for spouses.
Will my child be able to convert his or her insurance coverage?
No, there are no conversion options available to children.
Filing a Claim
How Does A Member File A Claim For The Proceeds?
The member should report the death of the spouse or dependent child to his/her personnel support. The personnel support element will notify the applicable Casualty Office so it can aid the member in proceeding with the FSGLI claim.
Payment of Proceeds
Who receives the insurance proceeds upon the death of a spouse?
The Servicemember is paid the proceeds due to the death of a spouse. The Servicemember can choose to receive the proceeds in one lump sum or 36 equal monthly payments. If the proceeds are to be paid in a lump sum payment, the member will be given the option of receiving the lump sum payment through the Prudential Alliance Account, check, or Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT).
Who receives the insurance proceeds upon the death of a child?
The Servicemember is paid the proceeds upon the death of a child. The proceeds will be paid in a lump sum payment. The member will be given the option of receiving the lump sum payment either through the Prudential Alliance Account, by check, or Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT).
If both parents of a child have SGLI, who will receive the proceeds of a claim on the child?
The proceeds will be paid to the member who was eligible for coverage the longest. If you are separated or divorced, insurance for your child will be paid to the member who has custody of the child. The proceeds will be paid in a lump sum payment. The member will be given the option of receiving the lump sum payment either through the Prudential Alliance Account, check, or Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT).
What is an Alliance Account?
An Alliance Account is an interest-bearing draft account established in the beneficiary's name with a draft book. The beneficiary can write drafts ("checks") for any amount up to the full amount of the proceeds. This gives the beneficiary time to make important financial decisions, while their funds are secure and earn continuous interest. There are no monthly service fees or per check charges and additional checks can be ordered at no cost, but fees apply for some special services including returned checks, stop payment orders and copies of statements/checks. Follow this link to view answers to frequently asked questions about the Alliance Account.
If I am covered by Family coverage as a spouse or child, can I choose the beneficiary?
No. The beneficiary of the spouse and the child coverage will be the member. If the member were to die before payment could be made, the proceeds of a spouse or child claim would be paid to the member's beneficiary, as designated by the member on the form SGLV 8286.
Forms
Click on one of the links below to access SGLI Family Coverage forms.
SGLV-8286A, Family Coverage Election
SGLV-8285A, Request for Family Coverage