Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI) is a program that offers low-cost insurance coverage to active-duty members of the military. SGLI guarantees financial protection by providing benefits for servicemembers’ loved ones in the event of their death.
But are servicemembers’ spouses covered under SGLI? We’ll explore how SGLI works, particularly whether spouses are fully covered within the plan.
Does SGLI Cover My Spouse?
Servicemembers are automatically enrolled in SGLI coverage when they join the military. And, yes, you can enroll your spouse in SGLI coverage. However, you must request additional coverage called Family Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (FSGLI). While insuring your spouse adds a slight additional premium to your monthly payment, dependent children get a small amount of coverage included at no additional cost.
What You Need to Know About FSGLI
Since the basic SGLI does not automatically cover the military spouse, here’s what you need to know about it.
What Is FSGLI?
FSGLI is a life insurance program designed to cover the spouses and dependent children of servicemembers enrolled in SGLI. It provides affordable coverage and offers peace of mind for your family in the event of an unexpected loss.
Do I Need to Enroll My Civilian Spouse in FSGLI?
Civilian military spouses are automatically insured for $100,000 under FSGLI unless they decline coverage. They may also elect a lower coverage amount by completing SGLV Form 8286A. Like SGLI, the premium for your spouse’s FSGLI coverage will automatically be deducted from your pay.
If you recently got married, your spouse is not automatically covered, you may apply for spouse coverage by completing SGLV Form 8286A.
Does FSGLI Automatically Cover Joint-Serving Military Spouses?
Military spouses who are both serving are not automatically covered by FSGLI. If your spouse is also a servicemember, they will not receive FSGLI coverage automatically unless you were married on or before January 1, 2013. For those who meet this condition and did not decline coverage previously, FSGLI was provided automatically. The change in policy allows military couples to decide whether they want to add FSGLI coverage, as both spouses typically already have coverage under their own SGLI policies.
How Much Does FSGLI Cost?
Unlike the fixed premium rate for the servicemember’s SGLI, the monthly premium rates are organized by age range, which means the premium you pay for your spouse’s FSGLI coverage will increase as they age. You can see what your monthly premium would be for each coverage amount by age range on the VA website.
How to Manage Your FSGLI Coverage
To review or adjust your Family SGLI (FSGLI) coverage, log into MilConnect, the official platform where service members can manage their SGLI elections, designate beneficiaries, and verify spouse coverage.
Get the Coverage You Need with AAFMAA
FSGLI only offers up to $100,000 of coverage for your MilSpouse. AAFMAA offers full military spouse life insurance coverage up to $1 million. Supplement or replace the need for FSGLI with a policy that stays with you after you leave the service — FSGLI will terminate, leaving your family at risk. AAFMAA life insurance policies are designed to meet the specific needs of your military family.
Contact us today to learn more or get a free quote.
This article was originally published December 12, 2022.