The deadlines most veterans miss — and how to protect your family.
SGLI = Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (coverage while on active duty). VGLI = Veterans' Group Life Insurance (coverage after separation — must convert from SGLI). S-DVI = Service-Disabled Veterans Life Insurance (for veterans with service-connected disabilities, must apply within 2 years of a new service-connected rating). FSGLI = Family Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance.
When you separate from service, your SGLI (Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance) coverage ends. You have a limited window to convert it to VGLI (Veterans' Group Life Insurance) without a medical exam — meaning your service-connected conditions cannot be used to deny coverage or raise your premiums above the standard rate. Most veterans do not know this. After the window closes, getting life insurance with a disability history can be very difficult and very expensive.
You have 1 year and 120 days from your date of separation to apply for VGLI.
Coverage can be up to the amount of SGLI you had — up to $500,000 in increments of $10,000. Premiums are based on age, not health.
Apply online at benefits.va.gov/insurance or by calling 800-419-1473.
If you receive a new service-connected disability rating, you have 2 years from that rating decision to apply for S-DVI.
Coverage up to $10,000. Premiums are waived if you are totally disabled. This is separate from VGLI and is specifically for veterans with service-connected conditions.
Apply using VA Form 29-4364.
TSGLI (Traumatic Injury Protection) is a separate benefit bundled into SGLI while you're serving — a lump-sum payment for a traumatic injury, not a deadline you need to act on now. Worth checking if you had a qualifying injury on active duty and never filed.
To qualify: you had active SGLI coverage at the time of injury, suffered a scheduled loss (e.g. loss of limb, sight, hearing) directly from the injury, the injury happened before you left service, the loss occurred within 2 years of the injury, and you survived at least 7 full days after the injury. Injuries from self-harm, illegal drug use, or criminal activity are excluded.
Payment ranges from $25,000 to $100,000 depending on the severity of the loss. Cost while serving: a flat $1/month, bundled into your SGLI premium.
If VGLI has closed: look into state high-risk insurance pools, nonprofit veteran-serving insurance programs, or work with an independent insurance broker who specializes in veterans with disabilities. It is harder and more expensive but not necessarily impossible.
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