United States Department of Veterans Affairs

Servicemembers' & Veterans' Group Life Insurance

Frequently Asked Questions About Deployment & Demobilization

Frequently Asked Questions About: SGLI & Deployment
Frequently Asked Questions About: SGLI & Demobilization

Frequently Asked Questions About SGLI & Deployment

I was recently mobilized and my SGLI deduction increased. Why?

Under the law, Title 38 of the United States Code, Section 1967, as of the effective date of your orders your SGLI coverage amount automatically increased to the maximum amount available by law and your premium increased accordingly.

Why, when, how and what can I do if I don't want the maximum coverage amount?

Complete form SGLV 8286 immediately and give it to your Personnel Clerk.

I am eligible for SGLI coverage as a reservist/national guard member. Will my SGLI coverage amount change if I am mobilized?

Yes, your SGLI coverage amount will automatically increase to the maximum amount available by law. This change will be effective as of the effective date of your orders.

If I am a reservist/national guard member who has been mobilized, how will my Family SGLI coverage change?

Your spouse will automatically be insured for the maximum FSGLI as of the effective date of your orders. Premiums will be deducted from your pay based on your spouse's date of birth listed in DEERS (view premium rate tables).

As a Reservist/National Guard member, is my SGLI coverage in force 365 days a year, regardless if I am performing duty on the day of my demise? Or will it only pay if I am killed performing military duty?

If you are a Reservist or National Guard member and have been assigned to a unit in which you are scheduled to perform at least 12 periods of inactive duty that is creditable for retirement purposes, full-time SGLI coverage is in effect 365 days of the year. You are also covered for 120 days following separation or release from duty.

Will SGLI pay out the full $400,000 even if I have other life insurance?

Yes. If you have the maximum amount of SGLI, you have the right to retain any other Government or private insurance. However, you may not have more than $400,000 (or statutory maximum) of combined SGLI and VGLI coverage.

I need to change the beneficiary on my SGLI coverage. Can a family member do it for me?

No, in order for the change to be valid, you (the servicemember) must complete Form SGLV 8286 and submit it to your Personnel Clerk.

Does DoD reimburse SGLI premiums for deployed Servicemembers?

Yes.  If you are deployed outside of the US and serving in the theater of operations for Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) or Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF),  DoD reimburses the premium for up to the maximum $400,000 of your SGLI coverage as well as the premium for your TSGLI rider, for every month you are deployed.  The maximum reimbursement amount is $26.00 plus $1.00 for TSGLI for a total of $27.00.  The table below shows how much you would be reimbursed each month at different coverage levels:

Coverage Amount SGLI + TSGLI Premium Premium Reimbursement
$400,000 $27.00 $27.00
$150,000 $10.75 $10.75
$100,000 $7.50 $7.50
$50,000 $4.25 $4.25

 

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Frequently Asked Questions About SGLI & Demobilization

I was recently demobilized and I am returning to my unit in the Army National Guard (or Army Reserve, Air National Guard, Air Reserve, Navy Reserve, Coast Guard Reserve). What happens to my SGLI?

If you are returning to a unit in which you are scheduled to perform at least 12 periods of inactive duty that is creditable for retirement purposes, your SGLI coverage automatically goes to the maximum SGLI coverage of $400,000. This is regardless of your coverage level while on active duty. Because you are going into a new duty status, you automatically have the maximum SGLI coverage.

What can I do If I don't want the maximum SGLI coverage amount once I am back in my Guard (or Reserve) unit?

You must complete form SGLV 8286 to either select a lesser amount of coverage or to decline having the coverage. You should complete the form upon return to your unit and give it to your personnel clerk.

You say I am eligible for SGLI coverage as a member of the Guard (or Reserve) now that I have been demobilized. Why did I recently receive an application for VGLI?

OSGLI uses information from the Veterans Assistance Discharge System to mail computer-produced VGLI applications to Servicemembers who have recently been discharged from active duty. Regrettably, this information does not allow OSGLI to identify that you will continue to be eligible for SGLI due to your Guard/Reserve duty status.

Should I apply for VGLI while I still have SGLI?

Here are three points that you need to know before deciding on VGLI coverage:

  1. You can have both SGLI and VGLI, but the combined coverage can not be more than $400,000.
  2. Generally premiums for the SGLI coverage are less than for the VGLI.
  3. When you separate from your full time Guard/Reserve duty, your SGLI entitlement will cease and you will then be eligible to apply for VGLI. You should receive letters about your VGLI eligibility at that time.


I have recently been demobilized and I am returning to my former Reserve or National Guard unit. Will my Family SGLI coverage be affected?

If you are assigned to a reserve/guard duty and you have full-time SGLI coverage, your Family SGLI coverage on your spouse automatically goes to the maximum coverage of $100,000. This is regardless of your spouse's coverage level while you were on active duty. Because you are going into a new duty status, your spouse is automatically covered at the maximum level.

What can I do if I don't want the maximum amount of Family SGLI coverage?

If you want less than the maximum Family SGLI coverage or no Family SGLI coverage, you must complete form SGLV 8286A and give it to your unit's personnel clerk upon your return to your unit. Your coverage for dependent children ($10,000) is also in effect as long you have full-time SGLI coverage.

I have been demobilized and I am being assigned to the IRR (or ING), how will my SGLI and FSGLI coverage change?

Your SGLI Coverage
As a member of the IRR, generally, you are not entitled to full-time SGLI (**see note below). The following provisions apply:

  • Your SGLI will continue for 120-days from your date of discharge from active duty, then it will cease.
  • You are eligible for part-time SGLI which provides coverage only for the actual time you are on inactive duty for training.
  • Also you are eligible to apply for VGLI or to apply for permanent insurance with a commercial insurance company participating in the SGLI Conversion Pool.

Follow this link to view information about converting your SGLI policy.

Your Family SGLI Coverage
Your Family SGLI will also cease 120 days after your separation or release from service. During this period your spouse is eligible to apply for permanent insurance with a commercial insurance company participating in the SGLI Conversion Pool. There is no family coverage under the VGLI program.

Follow this link to view information about converting your spouses Family SGLI policy.

**Note: An exception to the previous paragraphs is if your are in an IRR status that has you assigned to a unit and scheduled to drill at least 12 times a year, even though you are in a non-pay status. Examples of this kind of IRR duty are the VTU status in the Naval Reserve and IMA status in the Army Reserve. In this case, you can maintain full-time SGLI and Family SGLI coverage.

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