Fill out SGLV 8286 (Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance Election and Certificate) online
SGLV 8286 is used by servicemembers to decline or reduce Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI) coverage, change beneficiary designations, or restore previously declined coverage. SGLI provides low-cost group life insurance to eligible members of the uniformed services.
How to fill out SGLV 8286 (Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance Election and Certificate)
Enter servicemember information
Provide your name, Social Security number, date of birth, branch of service, rank/grade, and unit or duty station.
Indicate your coverage election
Select whether you want full coverage ($400,000), reduced coverage (in $50,000 increments), or to decline coverage entirely. If restoring previously declined coverage, indicate the amount to restore.
Designate your beneficiaries
List each beneficiary full name, Social Security number, relationship, address, and the percentage or share of proceeds they should receive. You can designate by name or by relationship (e.g., "my spouse").
Sign and have the form witnessed
Sign and date the form. The form must be witnessed by a commissioned officer, NCO (E-5 or above), or other authorized individual who also signs and provides their grade and title.
About SGLV 8286 (Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance Election and Certificate)
Who needs this form
Active-duty servicemembers, Ready Reserve and National Guard members, and other uniformed services members who want to decline, reduce, or change their SGLI coverage or update their beneficiary designations. All eligible servicemembers are automatically enrolled in maximum SGLI coverage ($400,000).
Where to submit
Submit to your unit personnel office, administrative officer, or servicing human resources office. The form becomes part of your service record. Keep a copy for your personal records and inform your beneficiaries.
Source and content freshness
- Reviewed: 2026-02-16
- Filing deadlines may shift for weekends and holidays. Verify due dates with official instructions.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Not updating beneficiary designations after marriage, divorce, or birth of a child
- Declining coverage without understanding the impact on Traumatic Injury Protection (TSGLI)
- Not specifying the percentage each beneficiary should receive (defaults to equal shares)
- Not having the form witnessed by the required officer or NCO
Frequently asked questions
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What happens to my SGLI coverage when I leave the military?
When you separate from the military, your SGLI coverage continues for 120 days at no cost. After that, you have the option to convert to Veterans' Group Life Insurance (VGLI) within 1 year and 120 days of separation. VGLI provides renewable term life insurance that you can keep regardless of your health status.
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