active duty military coverage calculator
Your pay, your loans, your work plan. See the gap in 30 seconds.
OpenIf you die on the job
What workers comp, work plans and Social Security pay, and what they don't.
OpenWhy it matters
Most service members are signed up for SGLI on their own. It pays up to $500,000. That is a strong base, but it is tied to your service.
SGLI coverage stops 120 days after you leave the military. A policy you own can stay with you. Some private policies may limit pay for deaths in war, so read the terms.
- SGLI pays up to $500,000 in $50,000 steps. If you are eligible, you are signed up on your own through your branch.
- SGLI coverage lasts 120 days after you leave the military at no cost. You can switch to VGLI, but VGLI rates go up as you age.
- State law lets life policies limit the amount paid for a death while serving in the armed forces of a country at war.
What an insurer may ask you
Have these ready. Being honest up front gets you a real price and avoids problems at claim time.
- Your branch, rank, and job in the military
- Any planned deployment
- Whether you fly as a pilot or crew member
- Your age, health, and tobacco use
- How much SGLI you have now
Common questions
Do I already have life insurance in the military?
Most likely. SGLI signs up eligible members on their own. It pays up to $500,000.
What happens to SGLI when I get out?
It keeps going for 120 days for free. Then it ends unless you switch to VGLI or buy your own plan.
Can a private policy cover me while I serve?
Some can. State law lets insurers limit what they pay for a death in war. Ask about any war clause before you buy.
Is VGLI cheap?
It can be at first. VA says VGLI rates go up as you get older. At $500,000, the monthly rate is $30 at age 29 or younger and $40 at ages 30 to 34.
