Life Insurance for Veterans: Does Your Coverage Still Match Your Needs?
Learn how Veterans' Group Life Insurance (VGLI) works, how premiums change over time, and what factors to consider when evaluating your long-term life insurance needs. Use our educational VGLI premium timeline calculator to better understand future premium changes as you explore your coverage needs and options.
LIFE INSURANCE
Life Insurance for Veterans: Does Your Coverage Still Match Your Needs?
Protecting the people who matter most after your military service.
After serving your country, you've earned valuable benefits—including access to Veterans' Group Life Insurance (VGLI). But life changes over time. You may have a mortgage, growing family, business obligations, or other financial responsibilities that weren't part of the picture when you left the military. The important question isn't simply whether you have life insurance—it's whether your current coverage still aligns with the financial protection you want your family to have.
Understanding VGLI
Veterans' Group Life Insurance (VGLI) allows many separating service members to continue the life insurance coverage they had under Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI). VGLI offers several valuable features:
Coverage can generally be kept for life as long as premiums are paid.
Premiums are based on your age and the amount of coverage selected.
Everyone in the same age bracket pays the same premium for the same amount of coverage.
Eligible Veterans under the age of 60 may have options to "buy up" or increase their VGLI coverage by $25,000 increments at designated eligibility periods, without providing evidence of insurability (meaning without proof of good health), up to the program maximum, which is currently $500,000, if eligibility requirements are met.
Premiums increase as you move into the next age bracket, with changes generally occurring every five years. Under current program rules, premium changes become effective on the first day of the month following your birth month when you enter a new age bracket.
For many veterans, these features provide valuable peace of mind—especially if obtaining private life insurance may be difficult because of health concerns.
Is VGLI the Right Long-Term Fit?
VGLI is designed as renewable term life insurance. As premiums increase over time, some veterans choose to compare their options with other types of life insurance that may offer:
Level premiums for a specified period
Different policy features
Coverage designed around specific financial goals
The right choice depends on your age, health, budget, and long-term objectives. There is no single solution that fits every veteran.
See How Your VGLI Premiums May Change
Coverage Catalysts created a free educational VGLI Premium Timeline Calculator that illustrates how VGLI premiums may change over time based on current published VA premium schedules.
Use the calculator to:
Estimate future premium changes
Better understand long-term costs
Compare your current strategy with other coverage options
Have Questions? Contact us to discuss your VGLI coverage and explore your options. We're here to help you make informed insurance decisions.
Continue Learning
Explore more educational resources from Coverage Catalysts:
Official VA Resources:
Veterans can learn more about VGLI on the official VA website.
The VA's SGLI & VGLI Handbook provides detailed program information, eligibility requirements, and frequently asked questions.
Disclaimer
This article is provided for educational purposes only and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) or the Office of Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (OSGLI). Coverage Catalysts does not administer VGLI benefits. Veterans should verify current eligibility requirements, premiums, and policy provisions through the official VA and OSGLI resources before making coverage decisions.
This should article should not be considered legal, tax, accounting, or financial advice. Always consult with qualified legal, tax, and insurance professionals before making decisions regarding life insurance or business planning.
