VA Life Insurance — SGLI, VGLI & S-DVI

Q: Does VGLI cover suicide?

Yes. Unlike many private life insurance policies that have a two-year suicide exclusion clause, VGLI does not exclude suicide from its coverage. Beneficiaries receive the full VGLI death benefit regardless of the cause of death, including suicide. This is an important distinction for veterans who may be struggling with mental health issues.

Q: Can I have both VGLI and S-DVI at the same time?

Yes. VGLI and S-DVI are separate programs and can be held simultaneously. S-DVI is specifically for veterans with service-connected disabilities and offers significantly lower premiums than VGLI for the same coverage amount (up to $10,000 basic, plus $20,000 supplemental). Veterans with a disability rating should apply for S-DVI within 2 years of receiving their rating, even if they already have VGLI, to take advantage of the lower rates.

Section 1

SGLI — Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance

$500K

Maximum coverage

$30

Per month at max coverage

$0.06

Per $1,000 / month

Who Is Covered

All active duty service members — automatic enrollment
National Guard and Reserve members on active duty orders
Coverage in $50,000 increments, up to $500,000
Traumatic injury protection included (TSGLI — up to $100,000)
Family SGLI: spouse up to $100,000 · each dependent child $10,000 (free)

Cost Breakdown

SGLI costs $0.06 per $1,000 of coverage per month. For the maximum $500,000 coverage, that's just $30/month — one of the most affordable life insurance rates available to anyone. An additional $1/month covers TSGLI (traumatic injury protection).

Section 2 — Critical

The 120-Day Conversion Window

The SGLI → VGLI Conversion Window

When you leave service, your SGLI automatically continues:

120 days FREE — full coverage, no premium required
After 120 days: must convert to VGLI or prove insurability for private insurance
The clock starts the day you separate from service

⚠️ The Problem: Most veterans don't know this. Coverage lapses automatically, and they're left uninsured or forced to pay significantly higher rates on the private market — often denied coverage entirely due to service-related health conditions.

How to Convert SGLI to VGLI (Takes ~10 Minutes)

Apply online at benefits.va.gov/insurance — takes about 10 minutes
Or mail VA Form SGLV 8714 to OSGLI (allow extra time for mail processing)
No medical exam required if you apply within 120 days of separation
Pay your first premium — coverage continues without any gap from your SGLI

Section 3

VGLI — Veterans' Group Life Insurance

Key Features

Coverage from $10,000 up to $400,000 (matching your SGLI amount)
Increase coverage by $25,000 every 5 years — no medical exam required until age 60
Portable — no employer relationship required
Convert to any individual commercial policy at age 65, no medical exam needed
No coverage exclusion for suicide (unlike many private policies)

2026 VGLI Monthly Premiums (per $10,000 of coverage)

Age Group	Monthly Rate (per $10K)	Annual Rate (per $10K)
Under 29	$0.80	$9.60
30–34	$0.80	$9.60
35–39	$1.00	$12.00
40–44	$1.30	$15.60
45–49	$1.70	$20.40
50–54	$2.40	$28.80
55–59	$3.40	$40.80
60–64	$5.80	$69.60
65–69	$8.00	$96.00
70–74	$10.40	$124.80
75+	$22.40	$268.80

🧮 VGLI Premium Calculator

Coverage Amount

$200,000 of coverage

Age Group

Monthly Premium

$340 /mo

Annual Premium

$4,080 /yr

At age 65, you can convert your VGLI to any individual commercial life insurance policy without a medical exam — a significant benefit if your health has changed. Premiums shown are 2026 rates.

Section 4

S-DVI — Service-Disabled Veterans Life Insurance

⏰ 2-Year Application Window

If you received a service-connected disability rating, you must apply for S-DVI within 2 years of your VA rating date. Miss this window and you lose access to significantly lower premiums forever.

Coverage & Eligibility

For veterans with a new service-connected disability rating
Must apply within 2 years of receiving your VA disability rating
Basic S-DVI: up to $10,000 at rates much lower than private market
If 100% disabled and unable to work: premiums are waived — free coverage
Supplemental S-DVI: additional $20,000 if your basic S-DVI premiums are waived
Can hold S-DVI alongside VGLI — they don't conflict

Who Should Apply

Any veteran who receives a service-connected disability rating should apply for S-DVI within 2 years — even if they already have VGLI. The rates are significantly lower due to the government subsidy, and if you qualify for premium waiver (100% disabled, unable to work), you get $10,000 of life insurance coverage completely free.

Section 5

TSGLI — Traumatic Injury Protection

About TSGLI

TSGLI is an automatic rider on your SGLI coverage — no separate enrollment needed. It pays a lump-sum benefit for qualifying traumatic injuries sustained while SGLI is in force (active duty or during the 120-day free extension).

Qualifying Injury	Benefit Amount
Loss of limb (hand, foot)	Up to $100,000
Loss of sight	Up to $100,000
Loss of hearing	Up to $100,000
ICU hospitalization 15+ continuous days	$25,000
Burns covering 20%+ body surface	Varies by severity
TBI resulting in inability to care for self	Up to $100,000
Paralysis, coma, or other qualifying conditions	Varies

TSGLI coverage is $1/month additional premium — included in your SGLI payment. Coverage applies only while SGLI is in force.

Section 6

Family SGLI Coverage

$100K

Max spouse coverage

$10K

Each dependent child

Free

Child coverage cost

Family SGLI Details

Spouse coverage: up to $100,000 in $10,000 increments
Spouse premiums: approximately $5.50–$50/month depending on age
Each dependent child: $10,000 coverage at no additional cost
Family coverage only applies while the service member has active SGLI coverage
Spouse coverage ends when service member separates (unless converted)
Must be enrolled in SGLI to elect Family SGLI coverage

Section 7

Your Post-Separation Timeline

Day 0 — Separation from Service

Your 120-day clock starts now

SGLI coverage continues FREE for 120 days — no action needed yet
Full $500K coverage remains in effect
Gather your separation paperwork and VA rating decision (if applicable)

Days 1–120 — Conversion Window Open

Act now — no medical exam required

Apply for VGLI at benefits.va.gov/insurance — no medical exam
Apply for S-DVI if you received a VA disability rating
Name or update beneficiaries on all policies
Ideally act within first 30 days — don't let the deadline sneak up

Day 120 — Conversion Window Closes

Medical exam now required for VGLI

Must prove medical insurability to apply for VGLI after this date
Private insurance will cost significantly more — especially with service-related conditions
Veterans with combat injuries, PTSD, or chronic conditions may be denied

Day 240 — SGLI Free Extension Ends

All free coverage expires

120-day free SGLI extension fully expired
If you haven't converted to VGLI, you are now uninsured

2 Years After VA Rating — S-DVI Deadline

S-DVI application window closes

S-DVI application window closes exactly 2 years after your disability rating date
Cannot apply after this date — access to discounted disability insurance lost forever
Many veterans with service-connected conditions left paying full private market rates

Section 8

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens to my SGLI if I die during the 120-day free extension?

Your beneficiaries receive the full SGLI death benefit — up to $500,000 — even if you die during the 120-day free extension period after separation. The coverage remains fully in force at no cost to you for the entire 120 days. Your named beneficiaries on file with DFAS will receive the payment, processed through the Office of Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (OSGLI).

Can I get VGLI if I missed the 120-day window?

Yes, but you must prove insurability. After the 120-day window closes, you have up to 1 year and 120 days from separation to apply for VGLI — but you will need to submit evidence of good health and pass medical underwriting. The VA reviews your application and may deny coverage based on medical history. Veterans with PTSD, chronic pain, or combat injuries often find this process difficult or impossible. This is why acting within the first 120 days is so critical.

Is VGLI worth it compared to private life insurance?

VGLI is often worth it for veterans who have health conditions that would make private insurance expensive or unattainable. For healthy young veterans with no significant health issues, private term life insurance may offer lower rates for the same coverage. The key advantage of VGLI is guaranteed acceptance within 120 days — no medical exam, no underwriting. At age 65, you can also convert your VGLI to any commercial individual policy without a medical exam, which is a significant long-term benefit if your health declines.

Does VGLI cover suicide?

Yes. Unlike many private life insurance policies that include a two-year suicide exclusion clause, VGLI does not exclude suicide from coverage. Beneficiaries receive the full VGLI death benefit regardless of the cause of death, including suicide. This is an important distinction for veterans who may be struggling with mental health issues. If you or someone you know is in crisis, please contact the Veterans Crisis Line: call 988 and press 1, or text 838255.

Can I have both VGLI and S-DVI at the same time?

Yes. VGLI and S-DVI are completely separate programs and can be held simultaneously. S-DVI is specifically for veterans with service-connected disabilities and offers significantly lower premiums than VGLI for the same coverage amount (up to $10,000 basic, plus $20,000 supplemental if premiums are waived). Veterans who receive any disability rating should apply for S-DVI within 2 years of the rating date, even if they already have VGLI, to take advantage of the lower government-subsidized rates.