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(A major command should be one with 500 or more
permanently assigned members unless further defined
by the cognizant area coordinator.)
SERVICEMEN’S GROUP LIFE INSURANCE
Public Law 89-214 established the SGLI program
(effective 29 September 1965), providing group life
insurance for members on active duty for more than 30
days unless they choose (in writing) not to be insured or
to be insured for a lesser amount. Through the years, the
maximum amount of coverage became $100,000.
Members still have the option of electing no coverage
or coverage of lesser amounts in increments of $10,000.
SGLI protection continues for all members without
further payment for 120 days after separation from
active duty. If a member is totally disabled on the
separation date, coverage continues for 1 year after the
separation date or until the insured ceases to be totally
disabled, whichever comes first. An extension of
coverage for reasons of total disability must be granted
by the Office of Servicemen’s Group Life Insurance
(OSGLI).
VETERANS’ GROUP LIFE INSURANCE
The VGLI is a 5-year, nonrenewable term coverage
that has no cash, loan, paid-up, or extended values. The
VGLI is available to separated or retired members and
becomes effective once the OSGLI receives the
separation information. VGLI coverage will not become
effective before the end of the 120-day free coverage
under the SGLI.
The VGLI is available to individuals being released
from active duty or active duty for training under calls
or orders that do not specify a period of 31 days or less.
Reservists insured under part-time coverage who incur
a disability or aggravate a preexisting disability while
performing active duty or active duty for training under
calls or orders specifying a period of 31 days or less or
inactive duty training can within a 120-day period
following separation apply for VGLI.
To obtain VGLI coverage, an Application for
Veterans Group Life Insurance, DVA Form 29-8714,
and payment of the first month’s premium must be sent
to the OSGLI within the 120-day period. For more
information about coverage, contact the local DVA
office.
NATIONAL SERVICE LIFE INSURANCE
Service Disabled Veterans Insurance (SDVI) is the
only NSLI program of insurance currently open to new
issues. Any member who is released from active service
under other than dishonorable conditions and who is
found by the Administrator of Veterans Affairs to be
suffering from a disability or disabilities for which
compensation would be payable if 10 percent or more
in degree, but is otherwise in good health, may apply for
insurance within 1 year from the date such
service-connected disability was determined by the
DVA. Totally disabled personnel may apply for any of
the NSLI plans except for the endowment plans.
NSLI policies basically provide for the waiver of
premiums in the event the insured becomes totally
disabled for 6 consecutive months before attaining age
65.
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
The DVA is responsible for administering the major
veterans programs authorized by Congress. The benefits
they administer range from interment assistance to full
hospitalization. Retirees are eligible for the same
benefits available to those separated or discharged from
active service.
The DVA annually publishes Federal Benefits for
Veterans and Dependents, IS-1, a booklet describing the
benefits they administer. Copies may be purchased from
the Superintendent of Documents at the U.S.
Government Printing office. Also available from your
DVA office is A Summary of Department of Veterans
Affairs Benefits, DVA Pamphlet 27-82-2.
The DVA determines retirees’ eligibility for specific
benefits. The Navy Department has no control over
benefits authorized by law and payable by other
government agencies. The percentage of disability
determined by the Navy for retirement purposes does
not affect the DVA's determination of percentage of
disability for DVA benefits. The Navy’s only role
concerning the DVA is supplying requested information
about the retired member’s service and pay.
The DVA has regional offices and centers
throughout the United States. Contact the nearest DVA
office on questions about DVA benefits, A list of DVA
offices is included in the Navy Guide for Retired
Personnel and Their Families, NAVPERS 15891G.
Some of the benefits the DVA is authorized by law
are to guarantee home loans, administer the NSLI,
SGLI, and VGLI programs, provide medical benefits to
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