SGLV Form 8714
Application for Veterans' Group Life Insurance (VGLI)
You separated from active duty and want to convert your SGLI life insurance to VGLI to maintain coverage as a veteran.
- Who fills it
- veteran
- Journey phase
- Specialty Benefits
- Estimated time
- 20-30 minutes.
- When to file
- Within 240 days of separation to avoid medical underwriting. Within 1 year 120 days (the absolute deadline with underwriting).
Official VA form page: https://www.benefits.va.gov/insurance/vgli.asp
Walk it box by box
Fill it out with your information
Open the official VA form, then work down the boxes below. Each one is pre-filled from what you have already entered in Claim Recon and explained in plain language with the wording a VA rater expects. Review and edit every answer, then export your worksheet and copy it onto the official form. We never fill out or submit anything for you.
Gather before you start
- ▸Separation date (DD-214)
- ▸SGLI coverage amount at separation
- ▸Beneficiary information
- ▸Payment information for premiums
Attach with the form
- ▸DD-214 (copy)
Section I - Veteran Identification
Blocks 1-5Name, SSN, DOB, separation date, prior SGLI amountPII
Your identifying information. The separation date is critical for determining whether you are within the no-underwriting window (within 240 days).
(legal name, SSN, separation date from DD-214, SGLI amount)
Common mistakes
- ×Missing the 240-day window and then missing the 1-year-120-day absolute deadline entirely - VGLI cannot be obtained after that.
- ×Not knowing VGLI coverage amounts can be any amount up to the SGLI amount at separation - does not have to be the full prior amount.
Section II - Coverage Amount and Premium
Blocks 6-8Desired VGLI coverage amount and premium setup
VGLI coverage can be up to the amount of SGLI at separation (maximum $500,000). Premiums are based on age group (5-year bands). Unlike SGLI, VGLI premiums increase every 5 years as you age. Consider VA life insurance options (VALife if SC) which may be more affordable than VGLI at older ages.
e.g., $400,000 coverage; premium approximately $32/month at age 35.
Common mistakes
- ×Not comparing VGLI premiums to private insurance - at younger ages VGLI may be more expensive than comparable private coverage.
- ×Not knowing about VALife (29-0188) as an alternative if SC-rated - VALife may have lower premiums for the same coverage.
Authority
- 38 USC 1977 - VGLI conversion eligibility for separated SMs.
Section III - Beneficiary
Blocks 9-12Primary and contingent beneficiariesPII
Designate who receives the VGLI death benefit. Same format as SGLI designation.
(beneficiary names, SSNs, percentages)
Common mistakes
- ×Not updating beneficiary after SGLI-to-VGLI conversion - separate designation required.
Section IV - Certification
Blocks 13-14Veteran signature and datePII
Sign and date. Apply online at insurance.va.gov/vgli if possible.
(signature/date)
Common mistakes
- ×Waiting too long after separation - set a reminder to apply within 60-120 days of separation for no-underwriting conversion.
Statutory and regulatory authority
- 38 USC 1977 - VGLI conversion eligibility for separated SMs.