Military survivor benefits and life insurance

Active duty, veterans, and retirees may be eligible to enroll in programs to provide for their survivors. Find out about military and veterans survivor benefits and life insurance.

Military survivor benefits

Eligibility for survivor benefits is generally based on the service history of a military service member. Learn about benefits for survivors of:

• Retired active duty service members and reservists
• Veterans who served during a qualifying wartime period
• Veterans who died from a service-connected injury or illness

Survivor benefits for retirees

As a military retiree, your pension payments end when you die. Retired active duty and reservists may enroll in an annuity program when they retire. These programs will give your survivors a portion of your pension for the rest of their lives.

• Active duty retirees can enroll in the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) to provide for their survivors. Learn about the SBP, including:Program costs
• Benefits for your survivors
• Updates to your plan
• Retiring reservists can enroll in the Reserve Component Survivor Benefit Plan (RCSBP). Learn about the RCSBP, including:Eligibility
• Enrollment
• Changes to your plan

Survivor benefits for wartime veterans

A surviving spouse or child of a veteran who served during a qualifying wartime period may be eligible for the VA Survivors Pension. Learn more, including:

• What wartime periods the pension covers
• If you are eligible
• How to apply

Survivor benefits for veterans who die from a service-connected injury

The VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (VA DIC) program provides monthly payments to the survivors of veterans who die due to service-connected injuries and illnesses. You may qualify if you are a surviving:

• Spouse
• Child
• Parent

Learn more about the VA DIC program, if you are eligible, and how to apply.

Military life insurance

Life insurance benefits pay money to survivors of a policyholder who dies. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers life insurance to active duty service members and veterans. Other options provide coverage for qualifying injuries or service-connected disabilities. Learn more about what life insurance programs are available based on your situation.

Life insurance for active duty service members

Qualifying active duty service members automatically have a policy with Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI). Learn about SGLI policies, including:

• Eligibility requirements
• Updating your beneficiaries
• Changing or canceling your policy coverage

Life insurance for veterans

If you had SGLI when you were on active duty, you may be eligible for the Veterans’ Group Life Insurance (VGLI). VGLI insures both active duty and reserve service veterans. Learn about VGLI coverage, including:

• Eligibility for coverage
• Applying for a policy
• Updating your policy or beneficiaries
• Monthly premium rates

Other VA life insurance options

In addition to SGLI and VGLI, the VA offers financial coverage in the event of a traumatic injury or service-connected disability.

Learn more about other life insurance programs from the VA, including who is eligible and how to apply.

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