VGLI Life Insurance for Washington Veterans: Rates & Enrollment

To qualify for VGLI, you must have been covered under Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI) while on active duty and separated with an honorable or general discharge under honorable conditions (38 U.S.C. § 1965). Your service must have ended on or after April 25, 1951. You have 120 days from your discharge date to apply without medical underwriting; after that period, you may apply but will require medical evidence of insurability.

Veterans of all service eras qualify, including those from World War II through recent operations. The program covers service-connected and non-service-connected conditions equally. There are no income or asset limits for VGLI eligibility. Surviving spouses and dependent children may also be eligible if you elect Family SGLI coverage before discharge or convert to VGLI Family coverage within specific timeframes.

You must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident to be eligible. Coverage amounts start at $10,000 and increase in increments up to the maximum of $400,000. You can elect any amount within this range in $10,000 increments. The program is exclusively available to veterans; active-duty service members are covered under SGLI instead.

If you fail to apply within the 120-day window, you may still apply later by submitting medical evidence. However, coverage will not be effective until the VA approves your application and you pay the first premium. Some veterans with service-connected disabilities may qualify for Waiver of Premium benefits, which covers premiums if you are totally disabled.

VGLI premiums as of 2024 are age-based and vary by coverage amount and term length. Monthly rates for 5-year term coverage examples (age 35): $10,000 coverage costs approximately $11; $50,000 costs approximately $51; $100,000 costs approximately $99; $200,000 costs approximately $193; $400,000 costs approximately $378. Rates increase with age—a 55-year-old veteran pays significantly more for the same coverage.

Monthly rates for 30-year term coverage are higher than 5-year rates at all ages due to extended coverage period. For example, a 35-year-old veteran with $100,000 in 30-year coverage pays approximately $152 monthly. The 30-year option becomes more cost-effective if renewed at age 65 when 5-year rates increase substantially.

Premiums do not increase during each 5-year period—rates remain flat until your renewal date. At each 5-year renewal, premiums reset based on your age at that time. The VA applies annual COLA adjustments to certain benefit amounts but VGLI premiums are set by age cohort, not COLA adjustments.

Family SGLI coverage for spouses and children costs additional premiums. Waiver of Premium (if approved) eliminates monthly cost for totally disabled veterans. All rates are group rates, significantly lower than comparable private term life insurance for veterans.

Washington State does not provide additional state-specific VA life insurance benefits or supplements beyond the federal VGLI program. VGLI is exclusively a federal program administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs, and states cannot modify or enhance the federal benefit structure.

However, Washington State does offer comprehensive veterans services through the Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA), which can assist veterans in understanding and enrolling in VGLI. The WDVA maintains regional veterans service offices throughout Washington where veterans can receive free counseling on VGLI eligibility, coverage options, and the application process. These County Veterans Service Officers (CVSOs) are particularly valuable for older veterans or those unfamiliar with federal processes.

Washington State also recognizes VGLI as part of a comprehensive financial protection strategy for veterans. While the state does not supplement VGLI payments, it does coordinate with federal VA offices to ensure veterans have seamless access to all available federal life insurance options. Veterans in Washington can combine VGLI with other state veteran benefits such as property tax exemptions for totally disabled veterans and state-funded veteran healthcare programs.

Washington veterans should be aware that VGLI coverage is one component of a broader federal life insurance ecosystem. Other options include Service-Disabled Veterans Insurance (S-DVI) for service-connected disabled veterans and Veterans' Mortgage Life Insurance (VMLI) for those with VA-guaranteed home loans. The WDVA can guide you toward the combination of federal programs best suited to your situation.

VGLI applications are rarely denied if submitted within 120 days of discharge, as no medical underwriting is required during this window. The most common reason for delayed or conditional approval is missing or incomplete discharge documentation. If your DD Form 214 or discharge orders are unavailable, the VA may deny your application until you provide proof of service and discharge character. Veterans can request certified copies from the National Archives or their branch of service's records center.

Applications submitted after the 120-day deadline are frequently denied if medical evidence is insufficient or incomplete. The VA requires detailed medical records showing your current health status and any pre-existing conditions relevant to the coverage amount requested. Vague or outdated medical information (more than six months old) may be rejected. To strengthen your application after 120 days, obtain a recent medical examination from your VA healthcare provider or private physician and submit records documenting stable health status.

Incomplete applications cause processing delays and potential denials. Common omissions include missing Social Security numbers, incorrect address information, or failure to specify your desired coverage amount and term type (5-year or 30-year). Double-check that all fields on Form 211-8686 are completed legibly. If applying online, ensure you have received a confirmation number from VA.gov.

Denials may also occur if the VA cannot verify your eligibility—for example, if your discharge character is listed as dishonorable or "other than honorable" (OTH). Veterans with OTH discharges should consult a Veterans Service Officer, as some may still qualify depending on circumstances. Surviving spouses applying for Family SGLI conversion may be denied if they miss the conversion deadline (typically within a specific window after the veteran's death) or fail to provide marriage documentation.

If your VGLI application is denied, you have three appeal options under the VA's modern appeals system: a Supplemental Claim, a Higher-Level Review (HLR), or a Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA) review.

A Supplemental Claim is appropriate if you have new evidence—such as updated medical records, additional discharge documentation, or clarification on service eligibility—that you did not submit with your original application. You must file within one year of the original denial decision date. Submit Form 20-0995 to the VA with your new evidence. Processing typically takes 60–90 days. This option is best if you can quickly obtain missing medical records or discharge papers.

A Higher-Level Review (HLR) is ideal if your application was denied based on incorrect interpretation of existing evidence or law. You do not submit new evidence; instead, a senior VA reviewer examines the same records and determines if the initial decision was correct. File Form 20-0996 within one year of the denial. HLR decisions come within 120 days. This path is effective when you believe the VA made an error in evaluating your service eligibility or discharge character.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA) is your most formal option and is appropriate if you believe both the initial decision and any higher-level review were wrong. Appeal to the BVA by filing Form 10182 (Notice of Disagreement) within one year of denial, then Form 20-0996 (BVA Request Form). BVA decisions typically take 6–12 months. You may request a hearing via video or phone, which increases your chances of success.

All three appeals are free. Contact your County Veterans Service Officer (CVSO) in Washington at dva.wa.gov/contact or call 1-800-562-4957 for free representation throughout your appeal. The VA also provides free representation through accredited VSOs affiliated with national organizations. Never pay for VA appeal assistance; paid agents are prohibited by law. Many veterans' organizations (American Legion, VFW, DAV) offer free appeal support.