Yes, the U.S. military provides access to life insurance for eligible service members. For many people who join the military, this coverage becomes an important part of protecting their family financially.
The main program is called Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance, or SGLI. It offers affordable term life insurance to active-duty members and many members of the National Guard and Reserve. For most eligible service members, enrollment is automatic.
Here is what you should know about military life insurance, how it works, and what happens when you leave the service.
What Is Military Life Insurance?
Military life insurance is designed to provide financial protection if a service member dies while covered by the policy. The money is paid to the beneficiary or beneficiaries selected by the service member.
A beneficiary may be a spouse, child, parent, or another person chosen by the policyholder.
SGLI is group term life insurance. This means it provides coverage while the policy is active but does not build cash value like some permanent life insurance policies.
How Much Life Insurance Does the Military Provide?
Eligible service members can receive up to $500,000 in SGLI coverage. Coverage is available in $50,000 amounts, allowing members to select a lower level if they do not need the full amount.
Most eligible service members are automatically enrolled at the maximum coverage amount unless they choose to reduce or cancel their coverage.
The cost is taken directly from military pay. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, the basic SGLI rate is currently 5 cents per $1,000 of coverage. Full $500,000 coverage costs $25 per month, plus $1 for Traumatic Injury Protection, known as TSGLI.
This makes SGLI a relatively low-cost form of military life insurance.
Who Can Get SGLI?
SGLI is available to many people serving in the U.S. military.
This includes eligible members of the:
- Army
- Navy
- Air Force
- Marine Corps
- Space Force
- Coast Guard
- National Guard
- Ready Reserve
Certain military academy students, ROTC members, and commissioned members of NOAA and the U.S. Public Health Service may also qualify.
Eligibility can depend on a person’s military status and training requirements.
Does Military Life Insurance Cover Family Members?
There is also a program called Family Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance, or FSGLI.
Eligible spouses can receive up to $100,000 in coverage, as long as the amount does not exceed the service member’s SGLI coverage. Eligible dependent children receive $10,000 of coverage at no additional cost.
This can give military families another layer of financial protection.
What Happens to Life Insurance After Leaving the Military?
SGLI does not immediately disappear when someone separates from military service.
The VA provides 120 days of free SGLI coverage after leaving the military. Some totally disabled service members may qualify for a longer extension.
Former service members may also apply for Veterans’ Group Life Insurance, or VGLI.
VGLI allows eligible veterans to continue term life insurance after military service. Coverage can generally range from $10,000 to $500,000, based partly on the amount of SGLI coverage the veteran had when leaving the military.
Is Military Life Insurance Enough?
SGLI can provide valuable protection, but every family’s financial situation is different.
A service member may want to consider debts, mortgage payments, children’s future education, everyday living costs, and how much income their family would lose if they died.
For some families, SGLI may provide enough protection. Others may decide to combine military life insurance with a separate private policy.
Final Thoughts
Yes, the military does provide life insurance through SGLI for eligible service members. It offers affordable coverage, automatic enrollment for many members, and options that can also protect spouses and dependent children.
Service members should regularly check their coverage amount and beneficiary information, especially after major life changes such as marriage, divorce, having a child, or leaving military service. Keeping those details current can help make sure the right people receive financial support when it matters most.
