VA Life Insurance Benefits and Other Services for Survivors and Dependents

Retirees/veterans have a range of insurance programs they may have partiticipated in through the VA. Subsequently, when the veteran/retiree dies, survivors should call the appropriate VA Insurance Center number to see if the veteran/retiree participated in any of those insurance programs. Here are a few listed below:

Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI)

Retirees are covered for 120 days following retirement with no additional premium during the 120-day period. Retirees rated totally disabled on the date of retirement retain SGLI coverage up to one year or until the disability ceased to be total in degree, but not for more than one year. Determination and payment of proceeds are made by the Office of Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance under the jurisdiction of the Department of VA. Payment of proceeds to a beneficiary are exempt from taxation. The claim form required to apply for this benefit is VA Form SGLV 8283, Claim for Death Benefits, which can be obtained off the Internet using Google. Call the VA Insurance Center at 800-419-1473 for assistance with the form or for any other information.

Veterans' Group Life Insurance (VGLI)

This program allows retirees, upon retirement, to convert their SGLI coverage during the first 120 days following retirement, or one year following retirement for totally disabled retirees. VGLI is a five-year renewable term policy, administered by the Office of Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance under the jurisdiction of the VA. VGLI is issued up to a maximum of $250,000 in $10,000 increments, but not for more than the amount of SGLI the retiree had in place at the time of retirement. If the retiree was covered, the claim form required to apply for this benefit is VA Form SGLV 8283, Claim for Death Benefits, which can be obtained from the Internet using Google. Call the VA Insurance Center at 800-419-1473 for assistance with the form or for any other information.

National Service Life Insurance (NSLI)

Except for disability policies, no retiree has enrolled in this program since April 23, 1951. If the retiree was covered, the claim form required to apply for this benefit is VA Form 29-4125, Claim for One Sum Payment, which can be gotten off the Internet using Google. Call the VA Insurance Center at 800-669-8477 for assistance with the form or for any other information.

Service-Disabled Veterans Insurance (S-DVI) or (RH)

This insurance is limited to veterans who left the service after April 24, 1951. S-DVI is life insurance for veterans with service-related disabilities but are otherwise in good health. The basic program, which is called "RH insurance," insures eligible veterans up to $10,000. The cost is based on the veteran's age, type of plan-selected term or one of several permanent plans, and the amount of coverage. Veterans rated totally disabled by the VA are eligible to apply for a waiver of premiums. For those veterans eligible for this waiver, a supplemental policy, called "Supplemental RH Insurance," with additional coverage of up to $20,000, is available. But the premiums cannot be waived. If the retiree was covered, the claim form required to apply for this benefit is VA Form 29-4125, Claim for One Sum Payment, which can be obtained from the Internet using Google. Call the VA Insurance Center at 800-669-8477 for assistance with the form or for any other information.

Financial Counseling for SGLI & VGLI

Life Insurance Beneficiaries

This service provides beneficiaries with free, professional financial advice from FinancialPoint®, an independent company whose team of professionals are experts in handling a wide range of financial matters. Beneficiaries can access this service online 24/7 to request a financial plan. They simply enter their information into FinancialPoint’s website, and a financial professional will prepare a customized financial plan based on the details provided. They can also call or e-mail to get quick answers to simple financial questions. In-person meetings with financial professionals are also available upon request. Beneficiaries have lifetime access to these services.

What is the online will preparation service?

The online will preparation service enables beneficiaries to quickly and easily prepare a will without an attorney. After answering a series of straightforward questions, the beneficiary will receive a legal will, valid in all states, ready to print and sign.

To access this service online, go to www.financialpointplus.com, register as a first-time user, use “BFCSVA” as the Organization Web ID, have your nine-digit SGLI, TSGLI, FSGLI or VGLI claim number available. Select FinancialPoint to submit information that will be used to create a personalized financial plan for you. Select EstateGuidance® to create and print a will. Note: If you do not have your claim number, please call the Office of Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance at 800-419-1473 to get it. Access the Beneficiary Financial Counseling Service by phone at 888-243-7351 for SGLI, FSGLI, and VGLI beneficiaries or 800-428-3416 for TSGLI beneficiaries. Their e-mail is fcs@FinancialPoint.com.