Expanded SGLI Coverage on Tap

Maximum SGLI coverage jumps from $250,000 to $400,000 Sept. 1, and payments of up to $100,000 for service members with traumatic injuries will begin Dec. 1, said Stephen Wurtz, the VA’s deputy assistant director for insurance. Both benefits will be retroactive to Oct. 7, 2001, he added. Traumatic SGLI benefits will apply to members who have lost limbs, eyesight or speech or received other traumatic injuries as a direct result of injuries received during operations Iraqi Freedom or Enduring Freedom. Service members enrolled in the SGLI program will notice an increase in their premiums when the changes take effect. The traumatic SGLI benefit will be rolled into the basic SGLI program and will likely cost about $1 a month, Wurtz said. Members opting for the maximum SGLI coverage of $400,000 will see their monthly premiums increase from $16.25 to $26.00.