VA Distributes 2008 Insurance Dividends

Roughly 1.1 million veterans who hold government-sponsored life insurance policies will receive a share of $349 million in annual dividends this year from the Department of Veterans Affairs, which operates the insurance program. The exact amount each veteran would receive depends upon their age, the type of coverage they have, and how long they have held their policies. The dividends come from the earnings of trust funds into which veterans have paid insurance premiums over the years, and are linked to returns on investments in U.S. government securities. Veterans who are due refunds should receive them on the anniversary dates of their policies. Most recipients are holders of the World War II-era National Service Life Insurance ("V") policies. Holders of Veterans Reopened Insurance ("J," "JR," and "JS") policies, Veterans Special Life Insurance ("RS" and "W") policies, and U.S. Government Life Insurance ("K") policies will also receive dividends. For more information, contact the VA insurance toll-free number at (800) 669-8477 or visit www.insurance.va.gov on the Web.