Military family SGLI change

  • Published
  • By Debbie Gildea
  • Air Force Personnel Center Public Affairs
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas --  As of Jan. 2, military members who marry another member of the Armed Forces are no longer automatically covered under Family Service members Group Life Insurance.

Under SGLI military members are automatically covered for $400,000 unless they decline coverage or elect a reduced amount of coverage. Under FSGLI, members' military spouses were automatically covered for an additional $100,000 or less, depending on the amount of the member's election.

The law change did not prohibit additional coverage for military spouses. It just repealed automatic enrollment, which means Airmen are not enrolled or charged premiums automatically. Airmen will have a choice and those who want it will now be required to submit an election for the coverage.

Some military newlyweds, however, are paying premiums for FSGLI but are not actually covered.

If a servicemember married another military member on or after Jan. 2, they are affected. Defense Manpower Data Center and Defense Finance and Accounting Service updates are underway, and once they are complete, they will be refunded, however, they are not actually covered under the Family SGLI.

Affected members who do not want the additional coverage on their military spouse need do nothing. Once the data systems update, they will get their refunds.

Members who want the additional coverage must elect coverage which will require that the spouse answer various health related questions. Premium rates vary depending on the member's age and desired coverage. For example, the premium for a 34-year-old is 50 cents per month for $10,000 coverage or $5 per month for $100,000.

Members who want FSGLI must visit their military personnel section and complete the SGLV 8286A, Family Coverage Election and Certificate.

If members experience any changes - marital status, dependents or other - it is imperative that they update those in DEERS as quickly as possible. When such changes occur, they should remember to also update their virtual Record of Emergency data and SGLI election.

For more information about the FSGLI change, including how to elect coverage and premium information, go to myPers at https://mypers.af.mil and search for article "25004" or for "FSGLI."