Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska -- The new Service Members Group Life Insurance online enrollment system is live for the Air Force and Army. It is a self-service data system that centralizes the Family SGLI and the regular SGLI into one easy tool.
Developed by the Department of Defense and Veterans Affairs with the help of the Defense Manpower Data Center, and Defense Finance and Accounting Service, the system is projected to save the DoD approximately $12 million a year from a reduction of errors and overpayments, as well as give service members a quicker way to update their SGLI and FSGLI without a paper form and trip to the personnel office.
“Back in the day, we used snail mail and sometimes it would get kicked back due to errors, so this system would be a lot faster,” said Tech. Sgt. Monik Trick, 673d Force Support Squadron noncommissioned officer in charge of customer support. “[SOES] makes sure everyone has life insurance in case something happens suddenly right after a marriage or birth.”
It is specifically designed for service members with full-time SGLI coverage to make online changes at any time. There is also an administrative tool for human resources personnel, commanders, and unit SOES administrators to make changes in the Airman’s or Soldier’s stead.
According to benefits.va.gov, several types of service members are automatically insured under full-time SGLI such as active-duty service members, cadets and midshipmen of the U.S. military academies, ROTC members engaged in authorized training, and more.
SGLI is a low-cost term life insurance for eligible service members and their families providing coverage of up to $400,000 in increments of $50,000 after a service member’s death. It also covers up to $100,000 in increments of $25,000 for severe injuries such as loss of a limb, loss of a sense (hearing in both ears, permanent loss of sight), a traumatic brain injury rendering the service member unable to carry out daily functions, and more.
SOES is available through dmdc.osd.mil/milconnect. After signing in, click on the ‘SOES’ under the ‘Benefits’ tab. For more information, visit benefits.va.gov/insurance/sgli.asp, or call the Air Force Military Personnel Flight at 552-8080 or Army DEERs office at 384-2956/0332.