Military transition
SGLI coverage generally continues for 120 days after separation. Know your options before that window closes.
TRICARE eligibility can change. Survivor Benefit Plan elections and other retirement decisions may be difficult or impossible to reverse. The earlier your family understands the timeline, the more options you may have.
IWhat actually changes
Four things that move when the uniform comes off
None of this is a reason to panic. All of it is a reason to look before the date arrives rather than after.
I
SGLI coverage changes
SGLI generally provides 120 days of free coverage after leaving the military. You may have options to convert coverage, apply for VGLI, or consider private coverage. Each option has its own timeline, eligibility rules, and tradeoffs.
II
TRICARE changes
What your family had on active duty is not what they have after. The rules differ by how you separate and by who is on the plan.
III
Some retirement elections are difficult to change
Survivor Benefit Plan elections and certain retirement decisions may be permanent or changeable only under limited circumstances. Understand the decision before completing the paperwork.
IV
Age and health can affect private coverage
Private life insurance eligibility and pricing may depend on age, health, coverage amount, and underwriting. Waiting can affect the available options, but every family’s situation is different.
What happens when SGLI ends?
What happens to the spouse?
Who stays with the family through all of it?
Those are the questions we start with. Not how much coverage you are looking for.
IIOfficial resources
Straight from the source
- VA: Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI)(opens in a new tab)
- VA: Veterans’ Group Life Insurance (VGLI)(opens in a new tab)
- TRICARE: Separating From Active Duty(opens in a new tab)
- Department of Defense: Survivor Benefit Plan(opens in a new tab)
Government benefits, eligibility requirements, and enrollment periods can change. Official government sources control over general information presented on this website.
Before the date arrives
The transition guide
Understand SGLI, VGLI, and private coverage before choosing your next step. Tell us where to send it.
Table 24 is an independent insurance organization. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Defense, or any government agency.