| Spouse's Age |
Monthly Cost
/$100K |
| Younger than 35 |
$5.00 |
| 35-39 |
$6.50 |
| 40-44 |
$8.50 |
| 45-49 |
$13.00 |
| 50-54 |
$25.00 |
| 55-59 |
$37.00 |
| 60 and older |
$50.00 |
This is a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs program that provides up to $400,000 to beneficiaries payable upon death in a lump sum, or in 36 equal monthly installments if the Airman or beneficiary chooses.
Full-time Coverage: Unless they decline or reduce the coverage, participating ready reservists assigned to a position requiring them to perform duty creditable for retirement purposes each year are automatically enrolled in full-time Servicemembers Group Life Insurance for $400,000.
Full-time coverage is in effect 365 days a year, regardless of duty status, and continues for 120 days after reassignment from a qualifying position.
For totally disabled Airmen, full-time coverage may be extended by the SGLI office for as long as the total disability continues, not to exceed two years.
Options: By law, Airmen are covered for $400,000 unless they elect reduced coverage or decline coverage in writing on an SGLV Form 8286, Servicemember’s Group Life Insurance Election & Certificate.
They may elect SGLI coverage in increments of $50,000 up to a maximum of $400,000.
An increase, reduction or refusal of automatic coverage may only be done by submitting an SGLV Form 8286. It is preferable to specify beneficiaries by name. If specified “by law” beneficiaries of SGLI payments are paid as established by law: the entire payment is made to the spouse, or if there is no spouse, to the children in equal shares or, if none, to the Airman’s parents in equal shares or, if none, to the executor of the estate or, if none, to other next of kin.
Stepparents and stepchildren are not included in the “by law” chain. Airmen may designate any beneficiaries for whatever fraction of the total benefit without restrictions. If naming minor children, Airmen may want to seek legal advice.
They may designate secondary beneficiaries and may change beneficiaries at any time.
Be advised that if Airmen elect SGLI coverage and name someone other than their spouse as the principal beneficiary, the spouse will be mailed notification as required by law.
Cost: Full-time $400,000 coverage premium is $29 per month. For those in a paid assignment, the cost is automatically withheld from their paycheck or annual tour paycheck.
Those in nonpaid assignments, training Category E, do not pay direct premiums. Premiums will be deducted from the beneficiary settlement.