What you lose when you get out
Many veterans don't realize their benefits change the day they separate. Here is what happens to the coverage that protected your family while you were in uniform:
| Coverage while serving | What happens after you separate |
|---|---|
| SGLI Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance, up to $500,000 | Ends 120 days after you separate. If you are totally disabled, it can be extended for up to 2 years. |
| FSGLI Family coverage for your spouse and children | Spouse coverage ends 120 days after you separate. Your spouse can convert it to an individual policy. |
| Death gratuity $100,000 for deaths on active duty | Generally no longer applies once you are out of the service. |
| TRICARE Health coverage | Ends for most non-retirees. Some qualify for a short transitional period. See our benefits guide for VA health care. |
Don't let your family's protection lapse
If something happened to you after your coverage ended, your family could be left with funeral costs, a mortgage, and lost income, with no insurance to fall back on. Planning before you separate, or as soon as possible after, matters most.
Your options after service
VGLI
Veterans' Group Life Insurance lets you keep group coverage for life, up to the amount of SGLI you had when you left.
- Apply within 240 days of separating and you won't need to answer health questions.
- You can still apply up to 1 year and 120 days after separating, but you'll need to prove good health.
- Premiums go up every 5 years as you age.
VALife
Veterans Affairs Life Insurance is guaranteed-acceptance whole life coverage of up to $40,000 for veterans with a service-connected disability rating (0% to 100%).
Age limits apply. There is a waiting period before the full benefit is paid.
Private life insurance
A private policy can lock in a level premium that never goes up, often at a lower cost than VGLI for veterans in good health, with more coverage options for your family.
Below are the plans available through our partner, Mid Atlantic Insurance Group.
Compare before you decide
There is no single right answer. VGLI's guaranteed approval can be valuable if you have health conditions. A private plan may save you money over time. Get a quote, compare, and choose what's best for your family.
