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WASHINGTON, Oct. 23, 2001 – New Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance rules effective Nov. 1 provide free coverage for troops' children and low-cost premiums for spousal coverage up to $100,000. But what if service members don't want spousal SGLI coverage?
No problem -- just opt out of the Veterans Administration- sponsored coverage. Service members with SGLI coverage of $100,000 or more are automatically enrolled for maximum spousal coverage, said Navy Capt. Chris Kopang, DoD director of compensation. The accompanying premium will be deducted from military pay each month. Kopang said troops who don't want spousal SGLI coverage have until the end of November to cancel. Service members who cancel in time will be reimbursed for any premiums that are inadvertently withheld from their pay. They should carefully weigh their choice, he advised, especially if they currently have no spousal insurance. To decline spousal SGLI, service members need to visit their military personnel office to fill out and submit an "8286A" form. The forms are also available on the VA web site: www.insurance.va.gov/sglivgli/sglifam.htm. See related American Forces Press Service stories: o Service Members Get More Life Insurance Coverage, at www.defenselink.mil/news/Mar2001/n03072001_200103075.html. o SGLI Expands to Include Spouses, Children, www.defenselink.mil/news/Sep2001/n09072001_200109068.html.
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