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SGLI – Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance

SGLI - Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance
Insurance Quotes 2 Day Team

Written By Doug Mitchell

Doug Mitchell, CLU holds a BA degree in Finance from Auburn University, a Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) designation from The American College in Bryn Mahr, PA and Top of the Table member of the Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT). Doug has spent close to 30 years in the insurance and financial planning industry and has held licenses to sell securities, long-term care insurance, health.  Doug is also a financial blogger addressing the topics of life insurance, annuities and retirement income planning.

Holly Mitchell  &

Holly Mitchell’s background in life insurance insurance goes back to 1985 when she worked for her father who was a New York Life agent. Holly has a marketing degree from Auburn University and has had a life insurance license since 2008. In addition to advising life insurance for customers all around the country, Holly is our website fact checker.

Rob Pinner   &

Rob Pinner is the founder and CEO of Pinner Financial Services servicing all 50 states. Rob started his insurance career in 2002.

Louis LaBash

Results-driven and innovative life insurance professional with 30 plus years of life insurance industry sales and marketing experience. Recognized as a pioneer in the field, leveraging phone and internet channels to exceed personal sales of over $100 million during the first decade of the 21st century. Creator of a highly effective intuitive IUL life insurance sales software that facilitated the sale of millions of dollars of indexed universal policies by numerous life insurance agents. Proven track record as a Managing General Agent (MGA), Life Agent, IUL Life Insurance Sales Software developer, and leading-edge creator of insurance marketing tools, educational content, and delivery systems.

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For anyone considering a stint or career in the military and worried about life insurance, worry no more. Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI) is a life insurance program designed for U.S. service members who are on active duty or reserve members.

When an individual enters the service, they are automatically enrolled in SGLI and begin paying $28 per month for the maximum amount of coverage. If the service member decides to purchase a lesser amount of coverage or opt-out completely, they are required to electronically file their election of the SOES (online enrollment system).

Who is Eligible for SGLI?

military logos

Servicemembers who meet certain qualifications will automatically be enrolled in the SGLI program with the maximum amount of coverage unless they elect to reduce that amount or opt-out of the program. The following chart shows who is qualified for enrollment in the Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance program. Only one statement must be true to be qualified:

  • You are an active-duty member of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, or Coast Guard
  • You are a commissioned member of the NOAA or the United States Public Health Service
  • You are a cadet or midshipman in the U.S. military academy
  • You are a member, cadet, or midshipman of the ROTC participating in authorized training and practice cruises
  • You are a member of the National Guard or Ready Reserve, assigned to a unit and scheduled to perform a minimum of 12 periods of inactive training per year
  • You are a volunteer in an Individual Ready Reserve mobilization category

If you are in nonpay status with the Ready Reserve or National Guard you may be eligible for SGLI coverage if you are:

  1. Scheduled for 12 periods of inactive training for the year and
  2. Drilling for points instead of for payment

What Kind of Coverage does SGLI Offer?

life insurance application

The Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance program offers term life insurance coverage in $50,000 increments up to a maximum amount $400,000 in coverage. Servicemembers are automatically enrolled with $400,000 of coverage but may reduce that amount or opt-out by filing the appropriate form.

The coverage is provided until you leave the military and for an additional 120 days thereafter. There is no charge for the 120 days of post-military coverage. Since your policy is term insurance and doesn’t build cash value, you will receive nothing from the policy after upon its termination.

This group life insurance program is similar the the FEGLI plan but is only offered to servicemembers.

The current cost to servicemembers is $0.07 per $1,000 in coverage which is deducted as follows:

Amount of Coverage

Cost per Month

$50,000

$3.50

$100,000

$7.00

$150,000

$10.50

$200,000

$14.00

$250,000

$17.50

$300,000

$21.00

$350,000

$24.50

$400,000

$28.00

There is no medical underwriting for getting coverage.  All eligible servicemembers can be covered up to the maximum amount of $400,000.

Servicemembers can also qualify for a free extension of coverage for up to 2 years after leaving the military if you are disabled when you leave. The qualifications for the disability extension include:

  • You’re are totally disabled when you are discharged and unable to work
  • You have had one of the following regardless of your work status
  • loss of hearing in both of your ears
  • complete loss of speech
  • permanent loss of both hands, or both feet, or both eyes, or 1 hand and 1 foot, or 1 foot and 1 eye, or 1 hand and 1 eye

To apply for the disability extension, you must complete the SGLI Disability Extension Application and forward it to the OSGLI address on the extension application.

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What is the Conversion Option?

A conversion option allows the policyholder to convert their SGLI plan to a Veteran’s Group Life Insurance plan or to a policy offered by various insurance companies in the private market. The benefit of converting coverage rather than purchasing a new policy is that the insured service member is not required to provide proof of insurability (proof of good health) to the company that will accept the conversion.

Converting to Veteran’s Group Life Insurance

If you prefer to convert your SGLI coverage rather than purchase a new policy in the private marketplace, you have the option of converting it to a policy provided by the Veteran’s Group Life Insurance program as long as you do so within one year and 120 days. You will have the option of converting a portion of your coverage or all of your coverage without having to prove insurability (you are healthy).

Converting your SGLI Policy to Private Insurance

As was mentioned earlier, converting your SGLI coverage to an individual life insurance company offers the benefit of not having to go through medical underwriting but there are some health questions on the individual insurance application that you can choose to answer or not answer. The benefit of answering the question if you’re in good health is that you may qualify for a reduced rate for the new policy. The most important thing to remember is that you must start the conversion process within 120 days of leaving the service so that you will not experience a lapse in coverage.

To get the conversion process started, you will need to contact one of the insurance companies listed below to make certain they offer the SGLI or FSGLI conversion in the state you reside in or you can contact your local insurance agent for help with the conversion process.

Here is a list of insurance companies that offer SGLI conversion policies:

Insurance Company

Phone Number

Website

American Fidelity Life

850-456-7401

http://www.amfisite.com/

Bankers Life and Casualty

800-621-3724

http://www.bankers.com/

CICA Life Insurance Company

800-880-5044

http://www.cicalife.com/

EMC National Life

800-232-5818

http://www.emcnationallife.com/

Life Insurance Company of AL

800-226-2371

http://www.licoa.com/

Metropolitan Life Insurance

800-638-5433

http://www.metlife.com/

New York Life

212-576-7000

http://www.newyorklife.com/

Northwestern Mutual Life

414-271-1444

http://www.northwesternmutual.com/

Prudential

877-889-2070

http://www.prudential.com/giconversions

SBLI USA Mutual Life

877-725-4872

http://www.sbliusa.com/

Trans World Assurance

650-348-2300

http://www.twasite.com/military

Most of the insurance companies that will allow you to convert your SGLI or FSGLI policy to an individual life insurance policy will request the following documents to process the conversion. You should have these documents ready in advance, especially if you are close to the 120 day cut-off.

SGLI conversion documents
 To obtain your conversion notice, you can call the OSGL at 800-419-1473. 

Are there Other Benefits with SGLI?

There are a couple of other benefits provided with the SGLI program that can be very beneficial.

  • Traumatic Injury ProtectionThis protection is not life insurance but rather disability insurance that pays a benefit to servicemembers in the event of a serious injury or loss of limb. The benefit available is up to $100,000 for an additional premium of only $1.00 each month.
  • Family Coverage (FSGLI)Family Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance is available to servicemembers who are covered full-time under the SGLI program. The FSGLI allows the service member to cover his or her spouse for up to $100,000 for an additional premium and $10,000 for dependent children at no additional charge. The additional premium for spouse coverage is based on the spouse’s age and amount of insurance you select.

Monthly Premium for Spouse Coverage

This chart shows the rates by age group for spousal coverage.

AmountUnder 3535 – 3940 – 4445 – 4950 – 5455 – 5960 +
$10,000$0.50$0.65$0.85$1.30$2.50$3.70$5.00
$20,000$1.00$1.30$1.70$2.60$5.00$7.40$10.00
$30,000$1.50$1.95$2.55$3.90$7.50$11.10$15.00
$40,000$2.00$2.60$3.40$5.20$10.00$14.80$20.00
$50,000$2.50$3.25$4.25$6.50$12.50$18.50$25.00
$60,000$3.00$3.90$5.10$7.80$15.00$22.20$30.00
$70,000$3.50$4.55$5.95$9.10$17.50$25.90$35.00
$80,000$4.00$5.20$6.80$10.40$20.00$29.60$40.00
$90,000$4.50$5.85$7.65$11.70$22.50$33.30$45.00
$100,000$5.00$6.50$8.50$13.00$25.00$37.00$50.00
A service member can elect to convert the spouse coverage under FSGLI with no insurability requirement but dependent child coverage cannot be converted.

Can I Buy Individual Life Insurance instead of Converting?

Since you will have free SGLI coverage for 120 days after leaving the service, you can take some time to decide which method would work best for you; Convert to VGLI, convert to an individual life policy, or start a new policy with a private life insurance company. In either case, you should consider shopping all three options to find out which will work best for you and your family. In many cases, you will likely discover that purchasing a new insurance policy will save you money, especially if you are in good health after leaving the service.

We are Here to Listen and Serve
To find out more about the SGLI plan or to get a free and confidential quote if you are leaving the service, please call InsuranceQuotes 2Day at 1-800-712-8519 during normal business hours or contact us through our website at your convenience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the SGLI (Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance)?

When an individual enters the service, they are automatically enrolled in SGLI and begin paying $28 per month for the maximum amount of coverage. If the service member decides to purchase a lesser amount of coverage or opt-out completely, they are required to electronically file their election of the SOES (online enrollment system).

How much life insurance coverage can I get through SGLI?

The Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance program offers term life insurance coverage in $50,000 increments up to a maximum amount $400,000 in coverage. Servicemembers are automatically enrolled with $400,000 of coverage but may reduce that amount or opt-out by filing the appropriate form.

Can I convert my SGLI life insurance policy?

A conversion option allows the policyholder to convert their SGLI plan to a Veteran’s Group Life Insurance plan or to a policy offered by various insurance companies in the private market. The benefit of converting coverage rather than purchasing a new policy is that the insured service member is not required to provide proof of insurability (proof of good health) to the company that will accept the conversion.

author avatar
Doug Mitchell, CLU Independant Advisor
Doug Mitchell, CLU holds a BA degree in Finance from Auburn University as well as having obtained a Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) designation from The American College in Bryn Mahr, PA. Doug has spent almost 30 years in the life insurance industry and has also held licenses to sell securities, long-term care insurance and home and auto insurance. Doug is a Top of the Table Million Dollar Round Table member (MDRT).  MDRT is a global, independent association of the world's leading life insurance advisors.  For two years, Doug served as President of the Auburn Opelika Association of Financial Advisors and has been a member of the Million Dollar Round Table. He obtained Life Millionaire status at Horace Mann Insurance Company and was awarded the Life Agent of the Year Award. Later in his career with New York Life he was an Executive Council Member. Doug currently serves as President of Ogletree Financial, a managing general agency serving life insurance agents and clients in all parts of the United States. Today, Doug’s main focus is servicing 1000s of policyholders.

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