Military life insurance covers active-duty service members, veterans, and their families. The VA-administered programs — SGLI, VGLI, VALife, and others — offer guaranteed-acceptance options that private insurers can't always match. This 2026 guide explains your options and how they compare with private term insurance.
What military life insurance covers
Military life insurance pays a death benefit to your beneficiaries if you die. Coverage starts on active duty (SGLI), continues into separation (VGLI), and includes specialized options for disabled veterans (VALife, VMLI).
The four main programs
- SGLI — automatic for active-duty members at $500,000 for $26/month.
- VGLI — post-separation term, up to $500,000, age-based premiums.
- VALife — whole-life coverage up to $40,000 for service-connected veterans.
- VMLI — mortgage protection for SAH grant recipients, up to $200,000.
How military life insurance differs from private
VA programs have three key advantages over most private policies:
- Guaranteed acceptance windows. SGLI starts automatically. VGLI requires no medical exam in the first 240 days.
- Coverage during combat or hazardous duty. Private policies often exclude active war zones or skydiving.
- No medical underwriting for VALife. Even severely disabled veterans get coverage.
Private policies often win on cost for young, healthy veterans buying $1 million-plus of coverage.
How much coverage do you need?
A common rule of thumb is 10–12x your annual income, plus any debts (mortgage, car, student loans), plus estimated college costs for children. A young service member with $80K income, a $300K mortgage, and two kids might need $1 million total. The $500K SGLI cap doesn't always cover it — private supplemental term insurance fills the gap.
Choosing beneficiaries
Update your beneficiary after every major life event — marriage, divorce, new child, death of a loved one. SGLI and VGLI default to a “by law” order of survivors if no beneficiary is named, but you should always name your beneficiary in writing.
Common military life insurance mistakes
- Declining SGLI to save $26/month. The cost is trivial compared to the coverage.
- Missing the VGLI no-exam window. Apply within 240 days of separation.
- Forgetting to add private supplemental coverage. $500K may not be enough for families.
- Failing to update beneficiaries. Old beneficiaries (ex-spouses, deceased parents) cause delays at the worst time.
Related guides
Learn more at the VA life insurance hub.