SGLV Form 8721
Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance Family Coverage Election (FSGLI)
You are on active duty and want to elect, change, or waive FSGLI coverage for your spouse or children.
- Who fills it
- service-member-active
- Journey phase
- Specialty Benefits
- Estimated time
- 15-20 minutes.
- When to file
- When you marry, have/adopt a child, or want to change existing FSGLI coverage.
Official VA form page: https://www.benefits.va.gov/insurance/fsgli.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
- ▸Spouse name, SSN, DOB
- ▸Desired spouse coverage amount (up to $100,000)
- ▸Dependent children information
Attach with the form
Section I - Service Member Identification
Blocks 1-3Name, SSN, branch, rankPII
Your active-duty identification.
(legal name, SSN, branch)
Common mistakes
- ×Not filing after marriage - new spouses are not automatically enrolled in FSGLI.
Section II - Spouse Coverage
Blocks 4-7Spouse name, SSN, DOB, coverage amountPII
Elect coverage for your spouse in $10,000 increments up to $100,000 (not to exceed your own SGLI amount). Premiums are based on the spouse's age. Children's $10,000 coverage is automatic at no additional charge with any FSGLI enrollment.
e.g., Jane Smith (spouse), SSN: 123-45-6789, DOB: 05/10/1985; elect $100,000 FSGLI.
Common mistakes
- ×Not knowing spouse coverage is limited to SM's own SGLI amount - if SM has $300,000 SGLI, spouse maximum is $300,000 (still capped at $100,000 absolute maximum).
- ×Forgetting to update when spouse's age crosses a pricing boundary - premiums increase at age bands.
Authority
- 38 USC 1967 - Who may obtain SGLI coverage.
Section III - Dependent Children
Block 8Elect $10,000 dependent children coverage (free)
Dependent children receive $10,000 FSGLI at no additional cost whenever FSGLI is in place. All dependent children are covered; individual child designation is not required.
e.g., Elect children's coverage (included at no cost with spouse FSGLI).
Common mistakes
- ×Not electing FSGLI for spouse because of premium costs without knowing children's coverage is separate and free.
Section IV - Certification
Blocks 9-10Service member signature and datePII
Sign and submit through unit S1.
(signature/date)
Common mistakes
- ×Not updating when spouse dies or divorce occurs - FSGLI premiums continue to be deducted until waived.
Statutory and regulatory authority
- 38 USC 1965 - SGLI definitions and authority.
- 38 USC 1967 - Who may obtain SGLI coverage.