Fill the Gaps SGLI Can’t: A Simple Plan for Military Households
You’re Already Protecting the Country. Let’s Protect Your Home, Too.
Military families shoulder a lot—service, moves, and tight schedules. While you’re in uniform, group life insurance helps. But benefits change the day you separate, and even before that, many families are under-insured for a mortgage, childcare, college, and years of income. Here’s the fast guide to what you have now and why adding a private policy can be the missing piece.
What you already have (quick recap)
SGLI: Up to $500,000 on the service member, in force 24/7. Continues 120 days after separation.
FSGLI: Spouse up to $100,000 (not to exceed member’s SGLI); each child $10,000.
VGLI: After service, you can continue coverage up to your SGLI amount (max $500,000). Apply within 1 year + 120 days; if you apply within 240 days, no health questions. Premiums increase in 5-year age bands.
Where gaps show up
Coverage vs. real life. A death benefit can be gone fast once you stack a mortgage, debts, daycare, and lost income. FSGLI’s spouse limit is often too low.
Transition cliff. That 120-day grace period flies by. Missing the best VGLI window can mean tougher underwriting or higher costs later.
Rising costs with age. VGLI is convenient, but premiums step up every five years.
Whole-family protection. Spouses and non-working caregivers often need their own policy sized to the home, budget, and future plans.
What a private (civilian) policy adds
Level, predictable premiums. Lock in a 20–30 year level-term or choose permanent coverage for lifelong protection.
Right-sized amounts. Match your mortgage, income, and goals—no artificial caps on a spouse.
Custom options. Riders like accelerated benefits, waiver of premium for disability, and child riders help tailor protection.
Health & timing advantage. You usually qualify for better rates before injuries or diagnoses complicate underwriting—especially smart 12–18 months before ETS/retirement.
When to add coverage
Buying a home or refinancing
Marriage or a new child
Promotion/career change (expenses up, benefits change)
Before separation (lock in pricing while you’re younger/healthier)
How much is “enough”?
A simple starting point: 10–15× annual income for the primary earner and 5–10× for the spouse. Adjust for your mortgage balance, childcare/education plans, savings, and any VA benefits you expect. I can run a needs analysis with your real numbers in minutes.
Bottom line
Keep SGLI while you serve—it’s valuable. But most military families are best protected by layering a private policy on top: stable costs, custom amounts, and coverage that follows you long after the uniform comes off.
Want a quick, pressure-free coverage check?
Message me with: ages, service status, mortgage balance, income, and a comfortable monthly budget. I’ll outline options tailored to your family—so the home you protect every day is protected if the worst happens.
Not affiliated with DoD or VA. Policy features and eligibility vary by carrier and state.
