SGLI to VGLI Conversion: Deadlines, Steps, and Options

You can convert your SGLI to Veterans' Group Life Insurance (VGLI) up to 1 year and 120 days after you leave the military. If you apply within the first 240 days, VA won't ask about your health, so you can get coverage even with medical conditions. After day 240, you can still apply, but you'll need to show evidence that you're in good health.

The safest plan is simple: apply early so VGLI starts the day your SGLI coverage ends. Here's how the timeline, the steps, and your other options work.

What are the SGLI to VGLI conversion deadlines?

There are three dates that matter: day 120, day 240, and 1 year and 120 days after you separate.

According to VA's SGLI page, SGLI keeps covering you for 120 days after you leave the military, and you don't pay premiums for that period. VA's VGLI page sets the other two deadlines.

VA's premium holiday FAQ confirms that because VGLI can't begin until SGLI ends, the earliest VGLI effective date is the 121st day after separation.

What does the timeline look like with real dates?

Counting from your separation date, the deadlines land roughly 4 months, 8 months, and 16 months later.

For example, take a hypothetical service member who separates on March 1, 2026:

• SGLI coverage runs through about June 29, 2026 (120 days).
• VGLI could start as early as about June 30, 2026 (day 121).
• The no-health-questions window closes around October 27, 2026 (240 days).
• The final VGLI deadline falls around June 29, 2027 (1 year and 120 days).

Exact dates depend on your official separation date and how OSGLI counts days. Check your dates with the Office of Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (OSGLI) and put them on your calendar the week you get out.

Who is eligible to convert SGLI to VGLI?

You're generally eligible if you had SGLI and you're within 1 year and 120 days of leaving a qualifying period of service.

VA lists these situations, and at least one must apply:

• You had SGLI and were released from an active-duty period of 31 days or more.
• You're retiring or being released from the Ready Reserve or National Guard.
• You were assigned to the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) or the Inactive National Guard (ING), including the Public Health Service Inactive Reserve Corps.
• You were placed on the Temporary Disability Retirement List (TDRL).
• You had part-time SGLI as a Guard or Reserve member and suffered an injury or disability on duty, including direct travel to and from duty, that disqualified you for standard premium rates.

How much VGLI coverage can you get?

You can convert up to the amount of SGLI you had when you left, anywhere from $10,000 to $500,000.

VA's VGLI page explains that if you start below the maximum, you can add $25,000 of coverage 1 year after getting VGLI and every 5 years after that, up to $500,000 total, until you turn 60. Premiums depend only on your age and coverage amount, not gender or tobacco use.

VGLI rates step up every 5 years by age band. As of VA's July 1, 2025 rate table, $100,000 of VGLI costs $8 a month at ages 30 to 34, $19 at 45 to 49, and $85 at 60 to 64. For a full cost breakdown and how it compares with private coverage, see VGLI vs. term life insurance.

How do you convert SGLI to VGLI step by step?

You apply for VGLI yourself, online or on paper, and pay your first premium to start coverage.

1. Confirm your separation date. Your deadlines count from it.
2. Choose your coverage amount. It can't be more than your SGLI amount. Our life insurance calculator can help you size it.
3. Apply online through OSGLI. VA links to the OSGLI application on Prudential's website from its VGLI page.
4. Or apply by mail or fax. Complete form SGLV 8714, Application for Veterans' Group Life Insurance, and mail it to OSGLI, PO Box 41618, Philadelphia, PA 19176-9913, or fax it to the number on VA's page.
5. Pay your first premium. VA's premium holiday FAQ notes that the first payment is always required to activate coverage.
6. Name your beneficiaries. You can update them online or with form SGLV 8721.
7. Set up payments. VA's FAQ describes options including AutoPay and deductions from military retirement or VA disability compensation.

What other options do you have besides VGLI?

You can also convert SGLI to a permanent individual policy, keep SGLI longer if you're totally disabled, or buy private coverage.

Convert SGLI to an individual policy. VA says you can convert SGLI to a permanent policy, such as whole life, with a participating insurer within 120 days of discharge, without proof of good health. VA links to the list of participating companies from the same page.

Use the SGLI Disability Extension. If you're totally disabled at discharge and unable to work, or have certain severe losses such as total hearing loss in both ears, VA says you may keep SGLI for up to 2 years at no cost to you. You apply with form SGLV 8715. About 20 months after separation, VA sends a notice explaining your option to pay for VGLI.

Convert VGLI later. Once you have VGLI, VA allows you to convert it to a permanent individual policy with a participating company at any time, at standard rates, without a health review.

Buy private coverage. VA notes that private term policies usually cover 10 to 30 years and may require a health review. If you're healthy, this can be worth comparing, but keep your VGLI deadline in view while you apply.

If you have a service-connected rating, you may also qualify for VALife, VA's guaranteed acceptance whole life coverage, which has no deadline to apply after your rating.

What if you miss the 240-day window?

You can still apply for VGLI until 1 year and 120 days after separation, but you'll need to submit evidence of good health.

That means your application depends on your health, much like private coverage. If you have a condition that makes approval uncertain, it may be worth talking with a licensed agent about other options at the same time. Our guide to life insurance with a VA disability rating covers choices for veterans with service-connected conditions.

What if you miss the final deadline?

Once 1 year and 120 days have passed, you can no longer enroll in VGLI based on that separation.

Your remaining options include VALife if you have a service-connected rating, and private term, whole life, or final expense coverage. Older veterans can find more choices in our guide to life insurance for veterans over 60, and more resources on our veterans life insurance hub.