VGLI: keep your life insurance after you get out

Veterans' Group Life Insurance (VGLI) lets you convert your SGLI to term life coverage you keep as long as you pay the premiums.

The two deadlines

• Within 240 days of leaving: apply with no health review, even with health conditions.
• Within 1 year and 120 days: last chance to apply, but after day 240 you must prove good health.

Who's eligible (at least one)

• Had SGLI and released from an active-duty period of 31+ days.
• Retiring or released from the Ready Reserve or National Guard.
• Assigned to the IRR or Inactive National Guard.
• Placed on the TDRL.
• Part-time SGLI Guard/Reserve member injured or disabled on duty (incl. travel) in a way that disqualifies standard rates.

Each of the first four is counted from that event, within 1 year and 120 days.

Coverage

$10,000 to $500,000, up to what you had on SGLI. If you start below max, you can add $25,000 one year in, then every 5 years, up to $500,000 until age 60. Premiums depend only on age and amount (not gender or tobacco). You can convert to a participating private plan at any time without a medical exam.

How to apply

1. Online through OSGLI (Prudential's site), or
2. Mail/fax form SGLV 8714. Expired policy? Use SGLV 180 to reinstate.

Current note from VA: eligible VGLI policyholders pay no premiums from Nov 1, 2026 through Jan 31, 2027 (premium holiday); coverage continues. Check eligibility on VA's page.

Compare first: service-connected veterans may also qualify for VALife (see VA's comparison page). Plan it on the timeline.

Related: Top 10 most-missed veteran benefits · Leaving-the-service timeline · VA.gov sign-in help · All vet benefit guides