It just became a whole lot easier to update your Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI). SGLI is a program that provides life insurance coverage to eligible service members. The Department of Defense has implemented the new SGLI Online Enrollment System (SOES) to replace the previous paper-based enrollment system.

Members no longer have to go to their Personnel Office and complete the paper forms to change SGLI elections or coverage. Now, they can use SOES to change SGLI and Family SGLI coverage, add or designate beneficiaries, update beneficiary information, and access their SGLI Coverage Certificate.

You can access SOES via the milConnect Web portal (www.dmdc.osd.mil/milconnect). You will need your Common Access Card (CAC), or DoD Self-Service Logon. The new system is only available to members with full-time SGLI coverage, which includes active duty servicemembers, along with Reserve and Guard members assigned to a unit and scheduled to drill at least 12 times a year. SOES is currently available to Army, Navy and Air Force, and will include the Marine Corps starting next month, December 2017. Upon logging on, select the “Benefits” tab and then “Life Insurance”. That will take you through a legal disclosure page and then grant you access to update your coverage. As you can see from the screenshot below, the site provides an easy “radio button” interface to make changes to your coverage.

SOES is a convenient online tool that will help you keep your SGLI information up to date as your needs and circumstances change over time. If a growing family or a new mortgage means you need additional coverage, you should consider Term life insurance policies similar to SGLI.  AAFMAA Level Term I offers rates competitive to SGLI that will keep your family covered now and beyond your time in service. In addition, all AAFMAA policies come with our exclusive Survivor Assistance. This means that when you pass away, AAFMAA will ensure your survivors receive the military and government benefits to which they are entitled.

With SOES, you can now make informed decisions and explore other alternatives to supplement your SGLI coverage to meet your needs. We also encourage you to see what AAFMAA has to offer and find the right coverage for you and your family. For more information about SOES and SGLI, visit: https://www.benefits.va.gov/insurance/SOES.asp and https://www.benefits.va.gov/insurance/sgli.asp.