SGLI is a VA program that provides low cost group life insurance to members of the Uniformed Services, including commissioned officers of the Public Health Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, cadets and midshipmen of the service academies. Members are automatically insured under Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI) for the maximum amount of $400,000 unless an election is filed reducing the insurance by $50,000 increments or canceling it entirely.
In addition the SGLI coverage now includes Traumatic Injury Protection. This coverage provides servicemembers protection against loss due to traumatic injuries and is designed to provide financial assistance to members so their loved ones can be with them during their recovery from their injuries. The coverage ranges from $25,000 to $100,000 depending on the nature of the injury.
In 2008 the premiums were reduced to 6.5 cents per $1,000 or $27 per month for the maximum of $400,000, this includes a mandatory $1 charge for TSGLI.
The premium for part-time SGLI coverage will be $26.00 per year for $400,000 of coverage. An additional $1.00 per year is added to the basic premium for a traumatic injury protection rider.
Members of the IRR will be charged a premium of $1.00 for $400,000 insurance for 1-day call-ups. All rates are subject to change based on the experience of the program.
The SGLI coverage may be converted, upon release from active duty, active duty for training, initial active duty for training or upon separation from the Ready Reserve, to VGLI or, if desired, to a commercial life insurance policy effective at the end of the 120-day SGLI extension period.