BUCKLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- In August 2017 the Air Force began a 12-month notification process, by birth month, and roll-out of the SGLI (Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance) Online Enrollment System (SOES).
Currently the Air Force stands at a 57.36 percent certification completion rate for members whose birthdays fall between Aug. 2, 2017 and Feb. 28, 2018. This number should be at least 95 percent. Also important to note is that members do not, and should not, wait till their birth month to accomplish this.
A key component to the implementation of SOES is the servicemember's certification of his/her SOES record. The initial DMDC data upload creating the record is not considered authoritative until the member reviews and/or updates the coverage elections, beneficiaries, and allocations of shares and certifies the record with an electronic signature.
SOES allows Airmen with full-time SGLI coverage to make online changes to their life insurance coverage and beneficiary information at any time without having to complete a paper form.
SGLI provides automatic life insurance coverage of $400,000 to servicemembers upon enlistment, commissioning, or activation to active duty (ARC members on orders for 31 consecutive days or more, or in support of a contingency operation).
Members with SGLI also get automatic coverage for their dependent children and non-military spouses under the Family Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (FSGLI) program. FSGLI coverage is not automatic for military-to-military marriages on or after Jan. 2, 2013. Those servicemembers must elect FSGLI coverage for their spouse in SOES. Servicemembers can use SOES to manage the amount of their SGLI and spouse coverage (FSGLI) and to name and update beneficiaries.
Airmen can learn more about SOES by accessing the following link:
http://www.benefits.va.gov/insurance/
SOES can be accessed by logging onto www.dmdc.osd.mil/milconnect, signing in, then clicking on "SOES" under the "Benefits" tab. Airmen are encouraged to log in with their CAC or DS Logon as soon as they receive their myPers Birthday Message, if deploying, or a life changing event occurs (e.g. marriage, divorce) to ensure their SGLI/FSGLI coverage and beneficiaries are up-to-date.
//SIGNED//
ELLEN M. MOORE
Brigadier General, USAF
Commander, Air Reserve Personnel Center