Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI)

Low-cost term life insurance of up to $500,000 for service members, at 5 cents per $1,000 a month plus $1 for traumatic injury coverage.

Also called: SGLI, military life insurance, SGLV 8286, SOES.

For: Veteran or service member.

Where it applies

Applies in states and territories.

Federal

SGLI covers active-duty members, Ready Reserve and National Guard members scheduled for 12 periods of inactive training a year, cadets and midshipmen, ROTC members in training, commissioned Public Health Service and NOAA corps members, and members of the Individual Ready Reserve in some cases. Coverage is automatic at the full $500,000 unless the member reduces it, in $50,000 steps. The premium is 5 cents per $1,000 a month, $25 for $500,000, plus $1 for TSGLI, taken from base pay. After separation, coverage continues free for 120 days. A member totally disabled at separation can keep it free for up to two years under the SGLI Disability Extension. Within 1 year and 120 days a member can convert to VGLI, and within 120 days to a commercial individual policy without proof of good health.

Thresholds

Thresholds for Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI)
Gate	Rule
Serving member	Active duty, or Ready Reserve or Guard with scheduled drills, or another covered status.

Figures

Each figure is dated with the day it was read. A local figure moves whenever the statute or the local ordinance does, so confirm it with the office that grants it before you rely on it. Statute verified gives the day the weekly section check last found the statute standing on the legislature’s own code site; a figure without it rests on a statute the check does not read yet.

Dated figures for Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI)
Figure	Amount	Read from
Maximum coverage and premium	$500,000; 5 cents per $1,000 a month, plus $1 TSGLI38 U.S.C. 1967	Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI)Read 2026-10-08

Sources

Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI)Official

Updated

Last updated 2026-10-08.

What changed then:

First published.

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Disclaimer

VetTOC is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the Department of Defense. Information is for reference only and is not an eligibility determination. Verify with VA, the relevant state or territory, or an accredited VSO.