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VA Life Insurance Programs — Side by Side
| Program | Who Qualifies | Max Coverage | Medical Exam? | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ⭐ VALife | Veterans with any SC disability rating (0%+) | $40,000 | No — Guaranteed | ✓ Open |
| 🔄 VGLI | Veterans who had SGLI (apply within ~1 yr of separation) | $500,000 | No exam within 240 days of separation | ✓ Open |
| 🎖️ SGLI | Active duty & Ready Reserve servicemembers | $500,000 | No — Automatic | ✓ Active duty only |
| S-DVI (29-0188) | Veterans with new SC rating within 2 years (pre-2023) | $10,000 | No exam for base amount | ✗ Closed 12/31/2022 |
| GLI / NSLI / VSLI | WWII/Korea-era veterans with existing policies | Varies | N/A (existing policies) | Existing policies only |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is VALife and how is it different from S-DVI?
VALife (Veterans Affairs Life Insurance) replaced S-DVI (Service-Disabled Veterans' Insurance) on January 1, 2023. The key differences:
- S-DVI: Required application within 2 years of your rating date. Max coverage $10,000. Had a supplemental disability benefit. Closed December 31, 2022.
- VALife: No time limit to apply (if age 80 or younger). Max coverage $40,000. Whole life policy — builds cash value. Guaranteed acceptance. Open since January 1, 2023.
If you have an existing S-DVI policy, you can keep it. You may also apply for VALife — they're separate programs.
I got my service-connected rating in 2024 — can I get VA life insurance?
Yes! If your rating date is January 1, 2023 or later, S-DVI is not available to you, but VALife is. Any veteran with a service-connected disability rating (even 0%) qualifies for VALife. If you're 80 or younger, there's no deadline — you can apply at any time.
Use our VALife Prep Wizard to get ready, then apply at insurance.va.gov/VALIFE/.
Why should I apply for VALife sooner rather than later?
Your premium is permanently locked at the rate for your age when you apply. The younger you are, the lower your monthly payment — forever. A 30-year-old pays $15.40/month per $10,000 of coverage. A 50-year-old pays $32.50/month. A 65-year-old pays $62.00/month. If you wait 10 years, you'll pay the 10-years-older rate for the rest of your life.
There's also the 2-year waiting period to consider: your full death benefit doesn't kick in until 2 years after your application. The sooner you apply, the sooner that clock starts.
Can I have both VGLI and VALife?
Yes. VGLI and VALife are completely separate programs and can be held simultaneously. Many veterans hold both — VGLI for higher coverage amounts while they're younger, and VALife for the guaranteed whole-life benefit that can't be cancelled (as long as you pay premiums).
What happens if I die during VALife's 2-year waiting period?
If you die within the first 2 years of your VALife policy, your beneficiaries receive all premiums you paid, plus interest. The interest rate for deaths in 2026 is 4.23%; for 2025 it was 3.59%.
After 2 years, your beneficiaries receive the full coverage amount (e.g., $40,000). Cash value also starts building at the 2-year mark.
How do I apply for VALife?
VALife applications are submitted online at insurance.va.gov/VALIFE/. You'll need:
- A VA.gov account (Login.gov or ID.me)
- Your service-connected disability rating information
- Bank account details for premium payment (routing + account number)
- Beneficiary information (name, relationship, SSN or DOB)
Use our free VALife Prep Wizard to organize all this information and generate a prep sheet before you go to the VA portal.
I have an existing S-DVI policy — do I need to switch to VALife?
No — your existing S-DVI policy remains valid. You can keep your S-DVI coverage indefinitely as long as you pay premiums. You may also choose to apply for VALife separately to get additional coverage (VALife is a different policy, not a replacement for your existing S-DVI).
S-DVI is simply closed to new applicants. Existing policyholders are not affected.
What is the phone number for VA Life Insurance?
VA Life Insurance Service Center: 1-800-669-8477 (Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–6:00 PM Eastern Time).
You can also email VALifeInsurance@va.gov or visit va.gov/life-insurance/.
Ready to Get Your VALife Coverage?
Our free prep wizard walks you through every step — collects your information, calculates your premium, and generates a printable prep sheet to use when you apply at VA.gov. No account required.