Georgia Rose is a lead writer on the international team at NerdWallet. Her work has been featured in The Washington Post , The New York Times, The Independent and The Associated Press . Throughout her career, Georgia has written on a variety of subjects, including personal finance, government policy, science and technology. She enjoys researching complex topics and distilling the information for her readers. Before joining the international team, she wrote for the insurance vertical, specializing in life insurance.
Reviewed by Tony Steuer Life insurance expert Tony Steuer
Life insurance expert | Life Insurance
Tony Steuer is a financial wellness advocate, podcaster and speaker, and the author of "Questions and Answers on Life Insurance." His advice has been featured in media outlets including The New York Times, The Washington Post, Fast Company, Forbes and CNBC. He has a bachelor of science degree in finance from California State University and holds the following designations: Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU), Life and Disability Insurance Analyst (LA) and Certified Personal and Family Finance Educator (CPFFE).
At NerdWallet, our content goes through a rigorous editorial review process. We have such confidence in our accurate and useful content that we let outside experts inspect our work.
Assistant Assigning Editor Katia Iervasi
Assistant Assigning Editor | Life insurance, disability insurance, health care
Katia Iervasi is an assistant assigning editor at NerdWallet. An insurance authority, she previously spent over six years covering insurance topics as a writer, where she loved untangling complicated topics and answering readers’ burning money questions. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in communication and has studied writing, fact-checking and editing with Poynter. Her writing and analysis has been featured in The Washington Post, Forbes, Yahoo, Entrepreneur, Best Company and FT Advisor. Originally from Sydney, Australia, Katia currently lives in New York City.
Fact Checked Co-written by Renee Deveney Lead Writer Renee Deveney
Lead Writer | Life insurance
Renée Deveney covers life insurance at NerdWallet. She specializes in distilling complex information to help readers make informed decisions. Before joining NerdWallet, Renée led content creation at MoneyGeek, where she and her team covered a wide range of personal finance topics. She’s also written, edited and managed content on health, real estate and more. Renée holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Rollins College. With a passion for financial education, she strives to empower others to find balance through conscious spending and planning.
Many, or all, of the products featured on this page are from our advertising partners who compensate us when you take certain actions on our website or click to take an action on their website. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money.
Nerdy takeawaysWhen you're an active-duty military service member, you can get access to low-cost term life insurance through Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance, or SGLI. Once out of the service, you can apply for the Veterans’ Group Life Insurance program, or VGLI, which allows you to keep your term insurance for life as long as you pay the premiums.
So what’s the catch? While this looks like a great opportunity initially, as you get older, VGLI may no longer be your best option when leaving the service. Learn about the pros and cons of VGLI and some alternatives to consider.
VGLI is a type of group term life insurance offered to former members of the military. Death benefits range from $10,000 to $500,000 and can be adjusted if your needs change. Unlike premiums for level term life insurance policies, VGLI premiums increase as you age. For example, you can get a $100,000 policy for $12 a month at age 35, but when you reach 55, you’ll be paying $60 a month for the same coverage.
VGLI is a continuation of the Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance coverage offered to active military personnel. This means you must hold SGLI coverage at the time of discharge to qualify for VGLI.
You need to participate in SGLI during your service to qualify for coverage after you’ve left the service. You can sign up for continuous VGLI coverage within one year and 120 days of separation from service if you meet one of the following criteria:
You’ve been released from active duty. You’ve been placed on the Temporary Disability Retirement List (TDRL). You’ve separated, retired or been released from the Ready Reserve or National Guard. You were injured or disabled during active part-time service in the National Guard or Reserves.You’ve been assigned to the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) or the Inactive National Guard (ING), including the United States Public Health Service Inactive Reserve Corps (IRC).
If you smoke or have a pre-existing medical condition and would like to get coverage without taking a medical exam, you’ll need to sign up for VGLI within 240 days of leaving the service.
If you don’t qualify for VGLI and have a service-related disability, you may be able to get coverage through the Veterans Affairs Life Insurance (VALife) program. This guaranteed acceptance whole life insurance option provides up to $40,000 of coverage to disabled veterans.
VGLI may be easy to apply for, but it may not be the most cost-effective solution. Learn more about the pros and cons before signing up for coverage.
Guaranteed acceptance. As long as you’re an eligible veteran, you can’t be turned down for VGLI if you sign up within one year and 120 days of separation.
No medical exam. There are no health questions, lab tests or life insurance medical exams if you enroll within 240 days of leaving your role in the military. You also aren't penalized for your health — premiums don’t factor in physical or mental health conditions. If you apply after the 240-day period, you’ll need to submit medical details to prove you’re in good health.
Payout stays the same. The death benefit never decreases unless you request it, and the policy remains in force as long as premiums are paid. VGLI policies also have an accelerated death benefit feature, which means you can access part of your policy's payout if you become terminally ill.
No membership fees. VGLI has no membership or enrollment fees, just like many group life insurance programs offered by private employers.
Coverage is based on your SGLI policy. While most active-duty service members are automatically enrolled in SGLI, if you declined or lowered your coverage, this can limit your VGLI death benefit. You can increase your coverage beyond your original SGLI limit, but you can only raise your policy’s death benefit by $25,000 every five years until you’re 60 years old.
Higher premiums for older applicants. While guaranteed acceptance is convenient, it comes at a cost. VGLI rates are affordable for younger veterans, but maintaining this coverage can become expensive in later years since rates increase significantly as you age. Premiums for older veterans can be high compared to standard term life rates.
No permanent policy options. VGLI offers only term life insurance. This means the policy has a death benefit but doesn't build any cash value .
Low coverage amounts. VGLI has a relatively low death benefit cap of $500,000. You'll need to find additional coverage if you want a policy that pays out more than $500,000.
For some people, VGLI can provide the best value for term coverage, while others may find a better deal with a civilian life insurance policy.
Because VGLI offers guaranteed acceptance with no medical exam within 240 days of leaving service, it can be the best choice if you smoke or have pre-existing medical conditions. This is because VGLI rates are purely based on age and don’t factor in your health or smoking status. Premiums do increase with age, so healthy applicants who want coverage for a set amount of time may find a better value by shopping for a policy on their own.
You might be a good candidate for VGLI if you want to be able to upgrade your coverage to permanent life insurance later. Some commercial companies, like Guardian , MassMutual and Prudential , let you convert a VGLI plan to permanent life insurance without a medical exam. But if you’re in the market for a policy that will pay out more than $500,000 to your life insurance beneficiaries , VGLI may not suit your needs.
Did you know.VGLI isn’t always available to veterans. You'll have one year and 120 days to apply for VGLI once you leave the military, but the window closes after that.
VGLI rates are determined by your age and the value of the death benefit you select. You can get coverage in $10,000 increments from $10,000 to $500,000. The lowest prices are offered to applicants younger than 30, with rates increasing every five years until age 80, when they top out.
You can still keep coverage after 80, and the price stops increasing based on age. The table below shows rates for $100,000, $300,000 and $500,000 of coverage.
Source: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Data valid as of July 29, 2024.
Here’s what you can expect to pay for VGLI versus term life policies with $500,000 of coverage. The term life rates reflect the super preferred class, which are typically the healthiest applicants.
Term life is considerably cheaper than VGLI as you get older. While VGLI rates increase every five years, rates for level term life stay the same for the duration of the policy.
Age at issuance
VGLI (average annual rates for 20 years of coverage)
20-year term life (average rate for applicants with excellent health)
Source: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for VGLI rates, and Quotacy for term life insurance rates. Data valid as of April 1, 2024.
When you’re younger, a VGLI policy may be cheaper than a whole life policy, but rates increase as you age. To compare, whole life rates typically stay the same, meaning you’ll likely spend more money on a VGLI policy in the long run.
For example, the lowest annual cost of a $500,000 whole life policy for a healthy 30-year-old is $3,036 with Corebridge Financial . If the applicant lives to 80, they will have spent a total of $151,800. If the same applicant bought a VGLI policy, they will have spent $315,300 by age 80.
However, if you’re shopping for coverage when you’re older, a whole policy may not be the right option. A healthy 80-year-old can buy $500,000 of VGLI coverage for $27,000 a year, while the same applicant will likely pay $42,954 for a whole life policy.
Age at Issuance
VGLI rate (average annual rate for 20 years of coverage)
Whole life insurance (annual rate for a Corebridge Financial policy)
Source: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for VGLI rates, and Quotacy for whole life insurance rate. Data valid as of April 2, 2024.
Find the right life insurance plan for youMake sure you and your loved ones are covered - compare customized life insurance quotes from our partners.
Compare with Quotacy
Depending on your health, when you sign up and whether you want temporary or permanent coverage, buying life insurance on the open market may be a better option than VGLI.
Level term life insurance. A number of insurers allow you to fix rates with term life insurance for periods usually up to 30 years, and coverage amounts can range into the millions. If you need more coverage than VGLI provides, term policies are usually the cheapest life policies available.
Permanent life insurance . If you want to build cash value, you may be able to lock in rates for other types of life insurance , such as whole life. Permanent life insurance is more expensive than term life, but coverage can last for the rest of your life, and your premiums won’t increase over time.
You can convert your VGLI policy to an individual permanent life policy with a participating insurance company, without proof of good health.
Frequently asked questions How do I know if VGLI is right for me?VGLI may be a good choice if you smoke or have a medical condition that could prevent you from qualifying for affordable life insurance coverage. However, if you’re healthy and want coverage for 10 to 30 years, you’ll likely be able to get more coverage for a lower price with a regular term life insurance policy.
How much does VGLI cost?The monthly premiums for VGLI are based on age bands and the death benefit amount. Rates change for each age range every five years. At age 30, you would pay $45 per month for $500,000 of coverage, which would increase to $165 per month by age 50 for the same death benefit.
Does VGLI build cash value?No, VGLI doesn't build cash value like a permanent life insurance policy and you can’t cash out or borrow against your benefits. You may be able to convert your VGLI policy to a whole life insurance policy that earns cash value.
How can I convert my SGLI to VGLI?To qualify for VGLI, you must have SGLI before you leave the service. Your VGLI death benefit will be based on the level of SGLI coverage you had, although you can increase coverage by $25,000 every five years until you turn 60.
How do I sign up for VGLI?To qualify for VGLI, you’ll need to sign up within one year and 120 days of leaving service. To get benefits without taking a medical exam or sharing health details, register within 240 days. You can sign up online through the Office of Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (OSGLI) .
How do I know if VGLI is right for me?VGLI may be a good choice if you smoke or have a medical condition that could prevent you from qualifying for affordable life insurance coverage. However, if you’re healthy and want coverage for 10 to 30 years, you’ll likely be able to get more coverage for a lower price with a regular
term life insurance
How much does VGLI cost?The monthly premiums for VGLI are based on age bands and the death benefit amount. Rates change for each age range every five years. At age 30, you would pay $45 per month for $500,000 of coverage, which would increase to $165 per month by age 50 for the same death benefit.
Does VGLI build cash value?No, VGLI doesn't build cash value like a permanent life insurance policy and you can’t cash out or borrow against your benefits. You may be able to convert your VGLI policy to a
whole life insurance
policy that earns cash value.
How can I convert my SGLI to VGLI?To qualify for VGLI, you must have SGLI before you leave the service. Your VGLI death benefit will be based on the level of SGLI coverage you had, although you can increase coverage by $25,000 every five years until you turn 60.
How do I sign up for VGLI?To qualify for VGLI, you’ll need to sign up within one year and 120 days of leaving service. To get benefits without taking a medical exam or sharing health details, register within 240 days. You can sign up online through the
Office of Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (OSGLI)
About the authorsYou’re following Georgia Rose
Visit your My NerdWallet Settings page to see all the writers you're following.
Georgia Rose is a lead writer on the international team at NerdWallet. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Independent and ABC News. See full bio.
You’re following Renee Deveney
Visit your My NerdWallet Settings page to see all the writers you're following.
Renée Deveney is a former NerdWallet writer covering life insurance. She is passionate about financial education and empowerment for all. See full bio.
On a similar note.
Get free quotes from top companies.
Compare rates
Download the app
Disclaimer: NerdWallet strives to keep its information accurate and up to date. This information may be different than what you see when you visit a financial institution, service provider or specific product’s site. All financial products, shopping products and services are presented without warranty. When evaluating offers, please review the financial institution’s Terms and Conditions. Pre-qualified offers are not binding. If you find discrepancies with your credit score or information from your credit report, please contact TransUnion® directly.
NerdUp by NerdWallet credit card: NerdWallet is not a bank. Bank services provided by Evolve Bank & Trust, member FDIC. The NerdUp by NerdWallet Credit Card is issued by Evolve Bank & Trust pursuant to a license from MasterCard International Inc.
Impact on your credit may vary, as credit scores are independently determined by credit bureaus based on a number of factors including the financial decisions you make with other financial services organizations.
NerdWallet Compare, Inc. NMLS ID# 1617539
California: California Finance Lender loans arranged pursuant to Department of Financial Protection and Innovation Finance Lenders License #60DBO-74812
Insurance Services offered through NerdWallet Insurance Services, Inc. (CA resident license no.OK92033) Insurance Licenses
NerdWallet™ | 55 Hawthorne St. - 10th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94105
