SGLI meant to ‘take care of loved ones’

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Leo Brown
  • 442nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  It's no secret that money is tight for many people, including for Airmen of the 442nd Fighter Wing. But a safe and wise investment, according to Capt. Joe Walter, 442nd Mission Support Flight commander, is Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance.

Available to all Airmen and offering a variety of pay outs, Captain Walter said signing up for SGLI is a "no-brainer," especially if a military member has no life insurance.

While many people may think that life insurance is only purchased if someone has dependents, the captain stressed that everyone should think seriously about getting at least the minimum amount of SGLI, which is $50,000 and costs $3.62 per month.

"You don't think of yourself as dying, and younger Airmen sometimes think they're invincible and they may think of that (monthly premium) money as going elsewhere," the captain said.

"But it's not about you," Captain Walter said. "SGLI takes care of the loved ones you've left behind. There are funeral expenses and those can run into tens of thousands of dollars. It just makes sense to take care of your loved ones so there's not a financial burden on them. It gives you peace of mind."

Airmen can claim one or more beneficiaries, and anyone can be listed as a beneficiary. SGLI's maximum pay out is $400,000, which costs $29 per month.

One benefit to SGLI, which can be purchased in $50,000 increments, is that it is good regardless of the status a reservist is in.

"You don't have to be on man days or in annual tour status or here on a unit training assembly," Captain Walter said. "It's good year round."

Signing up for SGLI is a one-stop trip, according to the captain. A member should go to the wing's Military Personnel Flight's customer service section, where he fills out a request form. The MPF will then turn the form in to the Financial Management office, and FM forwards it the Defense Finance and Accounting Service.

For more information on SGLI, call MPF at (660) 687-3500 or e-mail Tech. Sgt. Talaya Hill, in MPF customer service, at talaya.hill@whiteman.af.mil.