Family SGLI (FSGLI) was implemented by the Department of Veterans Affairs in December 2001 to extend insurance coverage to spouses and children of members eligible for SGLI.
In order to be eligible for FSGLI, spouses and children must be registered in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS). Once registered in DEERS, spouses and children are automatically covered unless the service member declines coverage by filing a SGLV-8286A (Family Coverage Election) form with their personnel office.
With the establishment of the FSGLI program, military members married to other military members are required to register their spouses in DEERS as well. This allows for calculation of FSGLI premiums, as DEERS is the only official source of the spouse’s personal information, such as date of birth.
All family members are automatically covered by FSGLI from their date of eligibility. For families registered in DEERS, the Defense Finance and Accounting Service can calculate premiums and deduct them from the member’s pay. Delay in DEERS registration can delay this deduction and result in a debt for missed premiums.
For military couples this procedure presents the possibility of accumulating more significant debts.
Many members have expressed indifference to FSGLI and spousal DEERS registration in the belief that their spouse is a military member and therefore eligible for medical and dental care based on that status. Additionally, the spouse is usually covered by his or her own SGLI policy. Unfortunately, many of these members have or will find that their own inaction results in a debt for uncollected premiums. SGLI and FSGLI are two separate and distinct programs.
Military couples are presented two choices. First, they may elect to pay for FSGLI coverage of their spouse. In this case, registration in DEERS will allow deduction of premiums from their pay and avoid debts from unpaid premiums. If, however, they wish to decline or reduce spousal coverage, they must file a form SGLV-8286A with their personnel office as soon as possible to avoid accumulation of debt due to premium non-collection.
No matter which choice they make, each must register their spouse in DEERS. The servicing personnel office will require a copy of the marriage certificate in order to update the member’s records.
Learn more about Family SGLI at the VA's website or visit a local VA office.
In order to be eligible for FSGLI, spouses and children must be registered in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS). Once registered in DEERS, spouses and children are automatically covered unless the service member declines coverage by filing a SGLV-8286A (Family Coverage Election) form with their personnel office.
With the establishment of the FSGLI program, military members married to other military members are required to register their spouses in DEERS as well. This allows for calculation of FSGLI premiums, as DEERS is the only official source of the spouse’s personal information, such as date of birth.
All family members are automatically covered by FSGLI from their date of eligibility. For families registered in DEERS, the Defense Finance and Accounting Service can calculate premiums and deduct them from the member’s pay. Delay in DEERS registration can delay this deduction and result in a debt for missed premiums.
For military couples this procedure presents the possibility of accumulating more significant debts.
Many members have expressed indifference to FSGLI and spousal DEERS registration in the belief that their spouse is a military member and therefore eligible for medical and dental care based on that status. Additionally, the spouse is usually covered by his or her own SGLI policy. Unfortunately, many of these members have or will find that their own inaction results in a debt for uncollected premiums. SGLI and FSGLI are two separate and distinct programs.
Military couples are presented two choices. First, they may elect to pay for FSGLI coverage of their spouse. In this case, registration in DEERS will allow deduction of premiums from their pay and avoid debts from unpaid premiums. If, however, they wish to decline or reduce spousal coverage, they must file a form SGLV-8286A with their personnel office as soon as possible to avoid accumulation of debt due to premium non-collection.
No matter which choice they make, each must register their spouse in DEERS. The servicing personnel office will require a copy of the marriage certificate in order to update the member’s records.
Learn more about Family SGLI at the VA's website or visit a local VA office.
Updated March 29, 2011