Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI) is the low-cost group life insurance every active-duty service member gets automatically. In 2026, the maximum coverage is $500,000 for just $26 per month total — far less than comparable private term insurance.
2026 SGLI monthly premium for $500,000 coverage
If you searched for the official 2026 SGLI monthly premium, the short answer is simple: the maximum $500,000 SGLI policy costs $26 per month total. That total is made up of $25 for SGLI plus a required $1 TSGLI charge for traumatic injury protection.
That exact answer matters because many pages quote the base SGLI premium and leave out TSGLI. If you want the full monthly deduction from your pay, use the $26 total instead of the $25 base premium alone.
What is SGLI?
SGLI is term life insurance offered through the VA to active-duty service members, Ready Reserve, National Guard, ROTC cadets, and commissioned officers of the Public Health Service and NOAA. Coverage starts the moment you enter service.
SGLI 2026 coverage amounts and premiums
Premiums are flat per $1,000 of coverage. The 2026 rate is $0.05 per $1,000, or $2.50 per month per $50,000 of coverage. Every member is also charged a flat $1.00 per month for TSGLI — traumatic injury protection.
| Coverage | SGLI premium | + TSGLI | Total/mo |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $2.50 | $1.00 | $3.50 |
| $100,000 | $5.00 | $1.00 | $6.00 |
| $250,000 | $12.50 | $1.00 | $13.50 |
| $400,000 | $20.00 | $1.00 | $21.00 |
| $500,000 (max) | $25.00 | $1.00 | $26.00 |
SGLI is automatic and easy to change
You're enrolled automatically at the maximum $500,000 unless you decline or reduce coverage in writing. Use SGLI Online Enrollment System (SOES) through milConnect to:
- Reduce coverage in $50,000 increments.
- Decline coverage entirely.
- Update your beneficiary — spouse must consent if not named primary.
What happens at separation
SGLI continues for 120 days free after you separate. After that, coverage ends unless you convert it to VGLI or a private policy.
SGLI family coverage
FSGLI covers your spouse (up to $100,000) and dependent children (free, $10,000 each). Spouse premiums vary by age.
TSGLI: Traumatic Injury Protection
TSGLI pays $25,000 to $100,000 lump sum for traumatic injuries like amputation, paralysis, severe burns, or coma. Coverage is automatic for any member enrolled in SGLI.
Tips for using SGLI well
- Don't decline. $26 a month for $500K coverage is the cheapest term insurance you'll ever find.
- Name a beneficiary. Update annually and after any major life event.
- Plan ahead for VGLI. The conversion window opens at separation — mark your calendar.
- Consider supplemental private insurance. $500K may not be enough for families with young kids and a mortgage.
Related guides
Manage your SGLI at the VA SGLI page.