VA Life Insurance
SGLI, VGLI, SDVI & VALife Programs Explained
🛡️ The VA offers multiple life insurance programs for service members, veterans, and their families — from active duty through retirement.
Section 1
🎖️ SGLI — Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance
Low-cost group life insurance for active duty members, Ready Reserve, and cadets/midshipmen.
💰 Maximum coverage: $500,000
💵 Cost: Only $25/month for full $500K coverage
👨👩👧 Spouse coverage: Up to $100,000 (FSGLI)
👧 Child coverage: $10,000 per child — free
⏰ Coverage continues 120 days after separation (free)
Traumatic Injury Protection (TSGLI): If you suffer a qualifying traumatic injury, TSGLI provides a one-time payment of $25,000 to $100,000 depending on severity. Automatically included with SGLI.
Section 2
🔄 VGLI — Veterans' Group Life Insurance
Convert your SGLI to VGLI after separation — no medical exam required if you apply within 240 days.
💰 Coverage: Up to $500,000 (match your SGLI amount)
⏰ Apply within 240 days of separation — no health questions
📈 Premiums increase with age (renewable term insurance)
| Age Range | Monthly Cost per $10,000 | $400K Coverage/Month |
|---|---|---|
| Under 30 | $0.70 | $28.00 |
| 30-34 | $0.90 | $36.00 |
| 35-39 | $1.20 | $48.00 |
| 40-44 | $1.50 | $60.00 |
| 45-49 | $2.20 | $88.00 |
| 50-54 | $3.70 | $148.00 |
| 55-59 | $5.40 | $216.00 |
| 60-64 | $8.00 | $320.00 |
| 65-69 | $12.00 | $480.00 |
| 70-74 | $20.00 | $800.00 |
| 75+ | $40.00 | $1,600.00 |
Section 3
♿ SDVI — Service-Disabled Veterans Insurance
Life insurance specifically for veterans with service-connected disabilities. Being replaced by VALife but still available for existing policyholders.
💰 Basic coverage: Up to $10,000
➕ Supplemental coverage: Additional $30,000 if totally disabled
🆓 Premium waiver available for totally disabled veterans
Note: New SDVI applications are no longer accepted as of January 1, 2023. Veterans should apply for VALife instead. Existing SDVI policies remain active.
Section 4
🆕 VALife — Veterans Affairs Life Insurance
🎉 New Program for Service-Disabled Veterans
VALife is a new whole life insurance program that replaced SDVI. It offers guaranteed acceptance with no health questions for service-connected veterans.
💰 Coverage: Up to $40,000
✅ Guaranteed acceptance — no health exam
📋 Any service-connected disability rating
🏦 Builds cash value over time (whole life)
Premiums vary by age — younger veterans pay less. Apply within 2 years of receiving a new service-connected rating for the best rates.
Section 5
📝 How to Apply / Convert
1
SGLI: Automatic enrollment at maximum coverage. Opt down or cancel through your personnel office or SOES (SGLI Online Enrollment System).
2
VGLI: Apply within 240 days of separation at VA.gov VGLI page using VA Form SGLV 8714. No medical exam needed.
3
VALife: Apply online at VA.gov VALife page. Must have a service-connected disability rating.
4
FSGLI (spouse): Enroll through SOES. Spouse must complete medical screening if applying more than 240 days after your coverage election.
Critical deadline: You have only 240 days after separation to convert SGLI to VGLI without a medical exam. After 240 days, you must prove good health.
Section 6
📊 Program Comparison
| Feature | SGLI | VGLI | VALife |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who | Active duty / Ready Reserve | Separated veterans | Service-disabled veterans |
| Max Coverage | $500K | $500K | $40K |
| Type | Group term | Renewable term | Whole life |
| Medical Exam | No | No (within 240 days) | No |
| Cash Value | No | No | Yes |
| Cost (example) | $25/mo for $500K | Varies by age | Varies by age |
Section 7
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
A: Yes. VGLI and VALife are separate programs. You can maintain both for combined coverage up to $540,000.
A: Yes. You can convert VGLI to a commercial whole life policy with any participating insurance company at any time, regardless of health. This can be a good option if VGLI premiums become too expensive at older ages.
A: SGLI coverage continues for 120 days after separation at no cost. After that, you must convert to VGLI or purchase private insurance. You have 240 total days to apply for VGLI without a medical exam.
A: Yes. Any service-connected disability rating, including 0%, qualifies you for VALife. The rating just needs to be service-connected.
A: No. Life insurance death benefits are generally not subject to federal income tax, regardless of the program.