Your Essential Post-Service Insurance Timeline
120 days
| Date after separation | What happens |
|---|---|
| Day 0 | You separate. Every deadline counts from this date. |
| Days 1 to 120 | Your SGLI stays in force at no cost. This is also the window to convert to a private policy through a participating carrier. |
| Day 121 | Your SGLI is gone. If you did nothing, you are uninsured. |
| Day 240 | Last day to apply for VGLI with no health questions. |
| 1 year and 120 days | Final day to apply for VGLI at all. After day 240, you must show you are in good health. |
Here is the math with real dates. Say you separate on August 1, 2026. Your SGLI ends November 29, 2026. Your no-health-questions VGLI window closes March 29, 2027. Your final VGLI deadline is November 29, 2027.
Does SGLI end the moment you separate?
No. Your coverage continues for 120 days after your separation date, at no cost. You do not have to file anything to get those 120 days. They happen automatically. The risk is what comes after them.
What happens if you do nothing by day 121?
Your coverage ends and your family is unprotected. Nothing lapses gradually. On day 121 the coverage is simply gone. That is why we recommend lining up your next policy 30 to 60 days before you separate, not after. Learn how SGLI works while you serve in what SGLI covers.
Is the 120-day mark the same as the VGLI deadline?
No, and mixing them up is the most common mistake veterans make with these dates. They are separate clocks. The 120-day mark is when your SGLI coverage stops. The 240-day mark is when your no-health-questions VGLI window closes. You can miss the first and still use the second. But between day 121 and the day your VGLI or private policy starts, you are uninsured.
What if you miss the 240-day window?
You can still get VGLI until 1 year and 120 days after separation. The difference is that you now have to show you are in good health. If your health has changed since you left the service, that matters. The steps, the costs, and what to expect are in how to convert SGLI to VGLI.
Does a disability change the timeline?
Yes, in one specific case. If you are totally disabled when you leave the service, the SGLI Disability Extension can keep your coverage in force for up to 2 years at no cost. You must apply for it. It is not automatic. If you have a service-connected disability rating, also read about coverage with a VA disability rating, because Veterans Affairs Life Insurance (VALife) may be open to you as well. The eligibility rules and age limits are in VALife eligibility and the age 80 rule.
Your deadline checklist
- Write down your separation date. Every clock starts there.
- Flag day 120. Your SGLI ends here.
- Flag day 240. Your no-health-questions VGLI window closes here.
- Flag 1 year and 120 days. Your last chance at VGLI, with health questions.
- Decide before day 120 whether VGLI or a private term policy fits you better.
Before the deadlines decide for you
Deadlines push people toward the default, and the default here is VGLI. VGLI is the right call for some veterans, especially when health makes private coverage hard to get. But VGLI premiums rise with each five-year age band, while a private level term policy holds one price for the whole term. See how VGLI pricing works, how to manage VGLI premiums, and the full VGLI vs term life comparison before you commit.
One more timing point. Life insurance is priced on your health at the time you apply. Applying before your separation physical documents new conditions usually means a better health class. Never delay medical care or a VA claim to chase a rate. Just know that applying earlier tends to work in your favor. Start with what happens to your coverage after service.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does SGLI last after separation?
What is the deadline to convert SGLI to VGLI without health questions?
Is there a final deadline for VGLI?
Can I extend SGLI past 120 days?
Your next step: get the free guide, "The Veteran's Life Insurance Decision Guide." It walks you through every option before your deadlines hit. Prefer a shortcut? Take the quiz, Which Coverage Fits You?
Sources: VA, Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (va.gov/life-insurance/options-eligibility/sgli/), and VA, Veterans' Group Life Insurance (va.gov/life-insurance/options-eligibility/vgli/), accessed July 24, 2026.