Payments and Benefits for Survivors

Payments and Benefits for Survivors

For a deceased servicemember to be eligible for payment under the TSGLI program, they must have sustained a traumatic injury and survived for at least seven full days from the date of the injury to qualify for the benefits. The beneficiary named by the member on the SGLI application is given the insurance proceeds.

Family Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (FSGLI)

Under the SGLI program (“Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance [SGLI]”), spouses and dependent children of insured service members are eligible for the Family Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (FSGLI) program. The FSGLI allocates a maximum of $100,000 of insurance coverage for spouses, not to surpass the amount of SGLI the insured member has, and $10,000 for dependent children.

FSGLI is applicable for family members of individuals currently in the military. Service members can contact their unit or base personnel office to enroll family members in the FSGLI.

Beneficiaries of the FSGLI pay a premium for the benefit. Monthly rates are contingent on the amount of coverage selected and the age of the spouse.

Veterans’ Group Life Insurance (VGLI)

[/fusion_text][fusion_text]Veterans’ Group Life Insurance (VGLI) is an insurance program available for service members who have separated from the military. VGLI enables a veteran the ability to convert their SGLI coverage to renewable term insurance. Converting SGLI coverage to VGLI must be completed within 485 days of discharging from the military. Those that have converted within 120 days of separation don’t need to provide confirmation of health unless they wait longer to enroll.

Monthly premium rates are contingent on the service member’s age and amount of coverage they opt for. Premiums can range from $0.80 per month to a whopping $1,800 per month. Those over the age of 75 must pay $1,800 per month for the maximum coverage under the VGLI.

A listing of current premiums is available at https://benefits.va.gov/insurance/vgli.asp.

A veteran’s VGLI coverage total can’t surpass the amount of SGLI they had during the time of separation from the military. VGLI coverage is issued in multiples of $10,000 up to $400,000.

At the time of military discharge, individuals can apply for VGLI coverage with their unit or base personnel office. Otherwise, they can apply online at https://giosgli.prudential.com/osgli/web/OSGLIMenu.html.

VGLI may be advantageous for those who have been medically discharged or retired from the military due to a probable life-threatening condition because many civilian life insurance plans won’t cover such pre-existing conditions.

Veterans’ Group Life Insurance (VGLI)

Veterans’ Group Life Insurance (VGLI) is an insurance program available for service members who have separated from the military. VGLI enables a veteran the ability to convert their SGLI coverage to renewable term insurance. Converting SGLI coverage to VGLI must be completed within 485 days of discharging from the military. Those that have converted within 120 days of separation don’t need to provide confirmation of health unless they wait longer to enroll.

Monthly premium rates are contingent on the service member’s age and amount of coverage they opt for. Premiums can range from $0.80 per month to a whopping $1,800 per month. Those over the age of 75 must pay $1,800 per month for the maximum coverage under the VGLI.

A listing of current premiums is available at https://benefits.va.gov/insurance/vgli.asp.

A veteran’s VGLI coverage total can’t surpass the amount of SGLI they had during the time of separation from the military. VGLI coverage is issued in multiples of $10,000 up to $400,000.

At the time of military discharge, individuals can apply for VGLI coverage with their unit or base personnel office. Otherwise, they can apply online at https://giosgli.prudential.com/osgli/web/OSGLIMenu.html.

VGLI may be advantageous for those who have been medically discharged or retired from the military due to a probable life-threatening condition because many civilian life insurance plans won’t cover such pre-existing conditions.

Service-Disabled Veterans’ Insurance (S-DVI)

Service-Disabled Veterans’ Insurance (S-DVI) is devised for veterans with service-connected disabilities.  S-DVI is available as term insurance and in a multitude of permanent plans as well. The maximum amount of coverage is $10,000.

Service members can apply for S-DVI if they qualify for the following standards:

  • The veteran was released from active duty on or after April 25, 1951, with a discharge that the VA determines as other than dishonorable.
  • The veteran was rated for a service-related disability.
  • The veteran is in decent health beside service-related conditions.
  • The veteran applied within two years from the date the VA grants their service-related disability.

Monthly premiums are contingent on the service member’s age, the amount of coverage they opt for, and the particular insurance plan they choose.

Veterans can apply for S-DVI by completing a VA Form 29-4364, Application for Service-Disabled Veterans Life Insurance if they are eligible. VA Form 29-4364 is available from VA regional offices

Veterans’ Mortgage Life Insurance (VMLI)

Veterans’ Mortgage Life Insurance (VMLI) is a life insurance program created to pay off the mortgages of severely disabled veterans in the event of their death.

Veterans who qualify for a Specially Adapted Housing Grant from the VA are also eligible for VMLI, assisting disabled veterans to construct or alter a home to provide accommodations for their disabilities.

The total of VMLI coverage is comparable to the amount of the outstanding mortgage balance still owed by the veteran or $90,000 (whichever is the smaller amount). Premiums are contingent on age, outstanding balance of the mortgage owed by the member during the time of application, and the number of years remaining on the mortgage.

To analyze a premium, the VA has a calculator online at https://insurance.va.gov/inForceGliSite/VMLICalc/VMLICalc.asp.

A service member who is eligible for a Specially Adapted Home Grant from the VA also qualifies for the VMLI. To apply the veteran is required to complete VA Form 29-8636, Application for Veterans’ Mortgages Life Insurance. This form is available at any VA regional office or online at https://insurance.va.gov/inForceGliSite/forms/29-8636.pdf.

Survivor Benefit Program (SBP)

The Survivor Benefit Program (SBP) is regulated by the Department of Defense (DOD). Military members can enroll in the Survivor Benefit Program at the time of retirement. The SBP enables a retiree to forgo 6.5 percent of covered retirement pay each month in premiums, and consequently, when the retiree becomes deceased, the surviving spouse or minor children receive an annuity comparable to 55 percent of the covered retirement pay.

Members of the SBP can opt to have any increment covered, up to 100 percent of their military retired pay. For example, if an individual had a military retirement payment of $2,000 per month, they can cover 100 percent of this. This equates to having 6.5 percent of the entire $2,000 ($130) deducted from their retirement pay each month whereas their spouse and children would be given 55 percent of the $2,000 ($1,100) per month when the member becomes deceased.

A member must sign a form to accept or decline the SBP option during their departure from the military for retirement.

For military members that are married and decline the SBP, a spouse must sign as well as evidence of the refusal. If a member and their spouse do not sign a declination, they are automatically enrolled in the SBP. If a spouse remarries before turning 55, they are no longer entitled to SBP payments, but eligible again if the remarriage is terminated.

SBP payments are lessened by any amount of Dependency and Indemnity Compensation received (visit “Dependency and Indemnity Compensation [DIC]”). To eliminate the offset, Congress passed the Defense Authorization Act in 2008, creating a new payment entitled the “Special Survivor Indemnity Allowance.”

Surviving spouses eligible for the DIC and SBP are entitled to $50 per month paid by the VA. Unless Congress deems the allowance permanent or ends the offset completely, the monthly allowance is provisioned to expand by $10 a year on October 1 each year through 2012, terminating on February 28, 2016.

[/fusion_text][fusion_text]Filing a life insurance claim
The VA files claims for service member life insurance programs except for the SBP, which is filed with the DOD.

Veterans’ life insurance claims
Service members interested in veterans’ life insurance programs can file a death claim by completing VA Form 29-4125, Claim for One Sum Payment. VA Form 29-4125 is available at any VA regional office or online at https://www.insurance.va.gov/inForceGliSite/forms/29-4125.pdf.

Complete the claim and attach a copy of the death certificate detailing the date and cause of death. Submit the completed claim by faxing it to 800-669-8477 or mail it to:

Department of Veterans Affairs,

Regional Office and Insurance Center,

P.O. Box 7208, Philadelphia, PA 19101


SBP claims

Individuals can report the death of a military retiree and make a claim for SBP by contacting the Annuitant Pay section of Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS). The DFAS can be contacted by phone at 800-321-1080 or 216-522-5955; fax at 800-982-8459; or send a request to:

Defense Finance and Accounting Service,

U.S. Military Annuitant Pay, P.O. Box 7131,

London, KY 40742-7131

9 Comments
  • Jimmie Blythe
    Posted at 22:09h, 09 December Reply

    I receive monthly VA insurance payments from my brother that died in the war in 1942. I need to get an annual award letter for the Social Security Administration request. I have recently become a resident of a nursing home and need proof of my VA benefits that I receive each month. Where can I get this?

  • Marge V. Gray
    Posted at 00:16h, 29 August Reply

    HELP can not reach anyone to assist me on my SBP payments to my checking account (moved) and was being sent to Checking acct in Jacksonville, FL. The acct was closed and thus it does not accept the check at VyStar, it should be going to my checking acct at Bank Of America, in Largo. I can give you other information when you return my message. Thank you Marjorie V Gray

  • Marge V. Gray
    Posted at 17:23h, 27 August Reply

    I need HELP I can not connect to the myPay web site first of all. I have not received my SBP deposits in July, Aug and now its coming up Sept. When I attempt to press what ever number on my call in cell phone its not taking it and just keep getting a menu, is there a number I can call and speak to a service operator?? My checks have been sent back by the looks of it they were going to VYStar in Jacksonville, FL and should be going to BOA checking in Largo FL. I don’t have the same email as this city does not have comcast. and don’t have my pen number!1 Enough said as you can see I have a BIG problem here. Please contact me 7272154848 or at the email below. Thank you I can then provide you with SS numbers and etc. Marjorie V. Gray

  • florida fishing
    Posted at 11:55h, 26 May Reply

    Hello, you used to write excellent, but the last several posts have been kinda boring?

    I miss your super writings. Past several posts are just a little out of track!
    come on!

  • Dawn Southern
    Posted at 23:20h, 21 May Reply

    my husband had a preexisting mental condition he was being treated for and had been hospitalized for before being discharged honorably. 6mos after discharge he committed suicide. do either my children or myself qualify for any of his benefits?

  • Gilbert Marin
    Posted at 17:07h, 02 August Reply

    I am a Veteran of Korean war. I live in an assisted living facility in Florida and running out of funds. Who can I speak to with regard to helping me obtain financial assistance?

  • Margaret Oneill
    Posted at 14:44h, 26 March Reply

    I am looking for my annual award letter i usually get in the mail ever year about this time.
    please email or send out to
    Margaret Oniell
    29 s Wells Ave Glenolden, Pa 19036 or po box 286 Glenolden, Pa 19036
    John Carmichael- Deceased Veteran dob 12-12-60
    Survivor

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