JustPaste.it

Clinton Smith of Government & Civil Employee Services on SGLI/VGLI, What Is It?

 

 

Pros And Cons Of Keeping SGLI/VGLI Or Going To The Open Market

 

SGLI

Service members Group Life Insurance, also known as SGLI, is a life insurance

program that covers many active service members in the U.S. Military. When a

service member joins the military, they’re automatically signed up for the maximum

coverage. Any service member who is classified under the following list meets the

eligibility requirements:

 

  • Active duty members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines Corps or Coast

Guard

 

  • Members, cadets and midshipman of the Reserve Offi cers Training Corps

(ROTC) who are engaged in authorized training and/or practice cruises

 

  • Cadets and midshipman of the U.S. military academies

 

  • Service members who volunteer for an authorized mobilization category in the

Individual Ready Reserve (IRR)

 

  • Members of the Ready Reserve or National Guard who are scheduled to perform

at least 12 periods of inactive training per annum

 

  • Commissioned members of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

(NOAA) or members of the U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS)

 

The maximum coverage for SGLI is $400K and would cost the service member $28

a month. The lowest coverage amount is $50K for a low cost of $3.50 per month.

This coverage is not age based, and although it is term coverage, the service member

can take advantage of this life insurance program their entire career. They can

also add on Traumatic Injury Protection Coverage, also known as TSGLI, for an

additional $1.00 per month, and this enrollment also comes automatically. TSGLI

covers the loss of hearing or eyesight, limbs and appendages, and other various

body parts and reproductive organs, at a rate of anywhere from $25K to $100K

depending on the severity of the loss.

 

SGLI has a lot of pros. It pays out life insurance death benefits, regardless of how

the service member dies. They could pass in a war zone or in a car accident, and

the life insurance pays either way. SGLI is great for anyone who is over 30 years

of age, because the coverage is not age based. The added benefit of the TSGLI is

great as well because it acts like an accident policy. SGLI also automatically covers

the service member for 120 days after separation.

 

CONVERTING FROM SGLI TO VGLI

 

SGLI is eligible to be converted to Veterans Group Life Insurance, also known as

VGLI, within 1 year and 120 days (or 485 days) after separation from the military.

If converted within the first 240 days, no health questions have to be answered.

The coverage ranges from a minimum of $10K up to a maximum of $400K. It is

important to remember that the coverage elected at the time of application cannot

exceed the coverage the service member had at time of separation under SGLI.

 

They can, however, elect to increase this VGLI coverage in increments of $25K

every 5 years up to the max of $400K, but this increase must happen before the

age of 60. Coverage can last the life of the service member, but costs get very high

after the age of 50. In a perfect world, everyone would opt out of this life insurance

at the age of 49, but often time service members do not notice the price increase,

and the need to find something else until they are between the ages of 50 and 55.

 

VGLI

 

The cost for a maximum of $400K in coverage under the VGLI program ranges

from $32 a month for anyone who is under 29 years of age, and up to $1,840 a

month for those age 75 and over. On the lower end, minimum coverage in the

amount of only $10K ranges from a low price of $.80 a month, up to $46 a month for

anyone 75 and over. The cost increasing overtime can be concerning for anyone

who is over the age of 50.

 

VGLI is great for anyone who wants to have coverage in-between the time they are

in the military, and the time they find full time employment afterwards. This program

would be great for anyone who has less than perfect health conditions, who may

find it difficult to find inexpensive coverage in the outside market. The cons of this

coverage are that there is very little flexibility in the program, and it offers only

reasonable rates at only younger ages, so it is not a very viable long term option.

 

KEEP VGLI OR GO TO THE MARKET?

 

The first thing veterans must consider when asking this question is, do they fully

understand the benefits of GROUP life insurance. Group life insurance is a policy

that covers a GROUP of people. In this example it is covering either service members

or veterans. There are other similar U.S. based group life insurance programs,

like FEGLI, also known as Federal Employees Group Life Insurance. All of these

programs, since they are group programs, have the same pitfalls, for example:

 

  • Limited flexibility

 

  • Someone in good health could fi nd something more cost effective in the open

market

 

  • Premiums are based on the “health of the group”

 

  • Premiums could increase, and/or coverage could decrease

 

  • Coverage is limited

 

  • No spousal benefits

 

  • No long-term benefits, unless you die

 

The easiest way to figure out if you should keep VGLI, SGLI, TSGLI, FEGLI, or any

other similar group life insurance is to sit down with a finance or insurance professional

who is dedicated to working with Veterans, military service members, and/or

Federal Employees. There are companies who have proven their commitment to

serving those who have served our country. Remember, always find a financial or

insurance professional who can explain to you the benefit ts that you already receive

for your service to our country. Never sell yourself short by picking someone who

does not specialize in veteran benefits, click here to view more on Government & Civil Employee Services .

 

 

Clinton Smith, CEO of Government & Civil Employee

Services (GCES) in Indiana, PA, is focused on building a team of

passionate professionals whose genuine interest is in

helping others, while staying current on ever changing laws

and procedures determined by the Federal Government.

Clinton holds a Pennsylvania Life, Health and Annuity

License and is also a registered Public Notary for the state

of Pennsylvania.

 

To contact Clinton, call 800-985-3272 or visit gces.us.

 

This article originally appeared in the January/February 2017 Edition of the Veteran's Voice