(Photo: Catherine Scott)

On December 12, the VA announced that over 3 million Veterans, Service Members, and their spouses enrolled in VA life insurance programs will see reduced premiums starting in the spring of 2025. These discounts will apply to those insured under Veterans’ Group Life Insurance, VGLI, Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance, SGLI, and Family Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance, FSGLI, including future enrollees.

For Veterans insured under VGLI, approximately 450,000 policyholders will benefit from discounts ranging between 2% and 17%, depending on their age, with an average reduction of 11%. Service Members covered by SGLI, including around 2 million active-duty personnel, Reservists, and National Guard members, will see their premium rate decrease from $0.06 to $0.05 per $1,000 of coverage. This adjustment lowers the monthly cost for the maximum $500,000 coverage from $30 to $25. When combined with the $1 monthly fee for Traumatic Injury Protection, TSGLI, most Service Members with maximum coverage will have $26 deducted from their monthly pay. For spouses insured under FSGLI, approximately 870,000 will experience reductions of 11% to 22%, depending on their age, with an average discount of 13%.

The VA currently serves 5.6 million Veterans, Service Members, and their families with $1.5 trillion in life insurance coverage, making this the largest insurance program in the nation’s history. These reductions reflect the VA’s commitment to expanding affordable coverage to more families than ever before.

“These premium reductions make life insurance more affordable for Veterans, Service Members, and their families,” said VA Under Secretary for Benefits Josh Jacobs. “We are committed to ensuring families have financial support when needed, and this change offers peace of mind at a lower cost.”

Eligible policyholders will automatically receive these lower rates without any action on their part, ensuring a seamless transition.

For those who are not yet enrolled, the VA encourages all eligible Veterans to explore its life insurance programs. Detailed information about SGLI, FSGLI, VGLI, and other VA insurance options can be found on the department’s official website.

Author: Rikki Almanza

Rikki is a Web Content Coordinator for the American Legion, Department of California. With a deep-rooted connection to the military, a spouse who is a Navy veteran, a father who served in the Air Force for 25 years, and a grandfather who proudly served, Rikki is committed to using her skills and knowledge to provide valuable assistance and resources to servicemembers and veterans.