SGLI and SOES

VA states that eligible service members may receive SGLI coverage up to the current program limit and may change coverage and beneficiaries. Members with qualifying full-time SGLI can use the SGLI Online Enrollment System to review coverage, update beneficiaries and obtain a coverage certificate.

Annual emergency-file review

• SGLI/FSGLI coverage and beneficiary designations
• Emergency contact and casualty-notification records
• DEERS family data
• Family care plan where required
• Will and estate-planning documents
• Powers of attorney and expiration dates
• Banking and direct-deposit information
• Location of key military, medical and insurance records

Trigger events for immediate review

Marriage, divorce, birth or adoption, death of a beneficiary, deployment, major illness or injury, PCS, separation and retirement should trigger a review. Do not assume that changing one record automatically updates another.

Use qualified legal assistance for wills, powers of attorney and other personal legal documents when appropriate. Preserve the signed documents separately from insurance and personnel-system confirmations.

Official sources

• VA — Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance
• VA — Manage SGLI or FSGLI with SOES
• milConnect
• Military OneSource — Legal Assistance

Source status: SRC-003; SRC-045; SRC-051; SRC-052 verified October 4, 2026. Recheck current service-specific instructions and deadlines before acting.