What child life insurance is actually for
Be honest about the purpose. Coverage on a child is not income replacement; no family depends on a child's paycheck. It does two specific jobs:
- It covers final expenses during the worst weeks of a family's life, so money is never part of that day.
- It locks in insurability. Coverage placed on a healthy child today stays available even if their health changes later.
That second job is the one most parents have not heard of, and for some families it is the better reason.
First rule: your coverage comes first
A dollar spent insuring a child before the parents are properly covered is a dollar in the wrong place. Your children depend on your income, not the other way around. Size your own protection first with how much life insurance you need, then decide on the kids.
The simplest option: a child term rider
A child term rider attaches to your own term policy and typically covers all of your eligible children under one added cost, with new children usually added automatically. Many child riders can later convert to the child's own permanent policy when they reach adulthood, without health questions. It is the lowest-effort way to replace what FSGLI was doing, and it is one of the four riders covered in term life riders for veterans.
When a child needs their own policy
A rider stops being the answer when your child stops being a dependent. By age 25, adult children need coverage in their own name: their own term policy, priced on their own age and health, which is the cheapest it will ever be. If your adult child is starting a family of their own, that is the moment to point them to their own protection, not a slot on yours.
The full family picture, spouse included, is in life insurance for military families.
About the Author
Veteran Life Plan was founded by a career Army veteran to provide clear, honest guidance on life insurance for military families. Our articles are written to help you understand your options without jargon or high-pressure sales, so you can make a confident choice for your family's future.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are my kids covered while I serve?
Is a child term rider worth it?
When should my child get their own policy?
Ready to take the next step?
Take the quiz, Which Coverage Fits You? It covers the whole family, kids included. Or get the free guide, "Leaving the Service: Your Life Insurance Decision Guide."
Source: VA, Family Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (va.gov/life-insurance/options-eligibility/fsgli/), accessed July 24, 2026.