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Suggest a Feature →SGLI & TSGLI: Your Insurance
General information, not legal advice. For legal issues, contact Trial Defense Service (TDS) or your Legal Assistance Office.
“SGLI is just life insurance. You don't need to worry about it unless you're deploying.”
SGLI provides up to $400,000 in life insurance for about $25/month. TSGLI (Traumatic Injury Protection) is an additional rider that pays $25,000-$100,000 for qualifying traumatic injuries — loss of limb, sight, hearing, TBI, burns. TSGLI applies in garrison, not just combat.
SGLI: Life Insurance
Coverage: Up to $400,000 in increments of $50,000. You can choose any level or decline entirely.
Cost: About $25/month for full $400,000 coverage. This is deducted from your pay automatically.
Beneficiary: You designate who gets the money. Update this after any major life event (marriage, divorce, birth of a child). Your designation overrides any will.
What Many Don't Know
- SGLI coverage continues for 120 days after separation at no cost
- After 120 days, you can convert to VGLI (Veterans Group Life Insurance) without a medical exam — you must apply within 240 days of separation
- SGLI pays for death from any cause, including suicide (after a waiting period for new policies)
- Spouse coverage (FSGLI) is available up to $100,000
TSGLI: The One Most People Miss
TSGLI is a traumatic injury rider that pays a lump sum of $25,000-$100,000 for qualifying injuries. This is not life insurance — it pays while you're alive.
Qualifying Injuries Include
- Loss of a hand, foot, or sight in one or both eyes
- Severe burns (2nd or 3rd degree covering 20%+ of body)
- Loss of speech or hearing
- Paralysis (quadriplegia, paraplegia, hemiplegia)
- Traumatic brain injury resulting in inability to perform activities of daily living
- Coma lasting 15+ days
Key Points About TSGLI
- It costs $1/month (already included in your SGLI premium)
- It applies regardless of where the injury occurs — on duty, off duty, in garrison, deployed
- Claims can be filed retroactively (some injuries that occurred years ago may qualify)
- The payment is based on a schedule of losses — each type of injury has a set payment amount
How To File a TSGLI Claim
1. Get the TSGLI claim form (SGLV 8600) 2. Have your medical provider complete Part B 3. Submit through your branch's TSGLI office 4. Processing typically takes 90-120 days
After Separation
SGLI coverage lasts 120 days post-separation for free. After that, convert to VGLI within 240 days — no medical exam required. If you wait longer than 240 days, you'll need a medical exam and may be denied.
For TSGLI, you can file a claim for injuries that occurred during service even after separation, as long as the injury qualifies.
Bottom Line
Keep maximum SGLI coverage ($400K for $25/month is one of the cheapest life insurance deals available). Update your beneficiary. And know that TSGLI exists — if you or someone you serve with suffers a qualifying injury, the claim should be filed immediately.
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Contact your installation's Trial Defense Service (TDS) for UCMJ matters, or Legal Assistance Office for general legal issues. These services are free for active duty service members.