SGLV 8286: SGLI Election and Certificate
The 02/2025 SGLI election as printed: coverage choice, primary and secondary beneficiaries with shares and payment option, health questions, and signatures.
Every block on the SGLV 8286
Laid out block for block like the official Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance Election and Certificate (Ed. 02/2025 edition), with the instruction for each block. Name, rank, and unit prefill from your service profile.
1. about you
- Print Name (First, Middle, Last)
- Rank, title or grade
- Social Security Number
- Duty Location
- Branch of Service
- Current Amount of SGLI
- Marital status
- If married, spouse’s name
- Spouse’s Date of Birth
A civilian spouse is automatically covered by Family SGLI once registered in DEERS. A spouse who is also in uniform (married on or after 2 Jan 2013) must apply on SGLV 8286A.
2. about your coverage
- I am completing this form to: (Check all that apply)
Beneficiary update: complete sections 3 and 5. Increase/restore: 3, 4, and 5. Reduce: 3 and 5. Decline: write the statement below and complete section 5 only. This form replaces all prior designations.
- Coverage amount ($)
Increments of $50,000 up to $500,000. Increasing SGLI does not automatically increase FSGLI if FSGLI was under $100,000.
- If declining: write “I do not want insurance at this time.”
3. about your beneficiaries
- Primary beneficiaries
Shares must total 100%, each greater than 0%. Payment option: write "lump sum", "36" (36 equal monthly payments, which the beneficiary can't change), or leave blank to let the beneficiary choose. Name a trust only if it already exists; this form doesn't create one.
- Secondary beneficiaries
Paid only if no primary beneficiary survives you. Shares must total 100%.
- Have more beneficiaries? (completing SGLV 8286S or attaching additional documentation)
4. about your health
- Your date of birth (MM, DD, YYYY)
Complete section 4 only if you are restoring or increasing coverage.
- Your weight
- Your height
- Your sex
- a. A heart condition?
- b. High blood pressure?
- c. A neurological disorder?
- d. Diabetes?
- e. Cancer or tumors?
- f. Have you ever been diagnosed as having a disease of the immune system?
- g. Do you have any known physical impairments, deformities, or ill health not covered above?
- If “YES” to any question: reference the question by letter and list date, duration and details
Any Yes sends the increase to OSGLI for approval; it doesn't take effect until approved. All No answers take effect immediately.
5. your signature
- Service Member Signature
You certify the statements are true and that you've read the information pages. If married and naming someone other than your spouse or child, your spouse may be notified.
- Social Security Number
- Date Signed (MM, DD, YYYY)
- Address
For branch of service use only
- Name of Personnel Clerk
The clerk signs to show they counseled you on page 4 of the form.
- Rank, title or grade
- Contact telephone/email
- Date
- Address
For osgli use only
- Representative
- Decision
- Date
How to fill out the SGLV 8286
Your SGLI coverage amount (up to $500,000, in $50,000 steps) and who gets it. SOES is the official record for full-time members; this form is used when your Service says to use paper. When: At entry, and again after any life event: marriage, divorce, a birth or adoption, a death, or a change in who you want to provide for. Life events don't change beneficiaries automatically.
Step by step
- Section 1: your information and marital status.
- Section 2: mark what you're doing: naming/updating beneficiaries, increasing, reducing, or declining coverage.
- Section 3: primary beneficiaries with shares totaling 100%, and secondary (contingent) beneficiaries in case no primary survives. Choose lump sum or 36 monthly payments for each.
- Section 4: answer the health questions only if increasing or restoring coverage.
- Section 5: sign and give it to your unit personnel clerk, who completes the branch-of-service block.
What a strong one looks like
- Name secondary beneficiaries. If no primary survives and there's no secondary, payment goes by law (spouse, children, parents, estate, next of kin).
- For minor children, a court-appointed guardian receives the money unless you name a trust or trustee. Talk to legal assistance.
- Update your DD 93 at the same time. SGLI and the death gratuity are designated separately.
Common mistakes
- Shares that don't total 100%, or a 0% share.
- Writing "by law" when you meant to name specific people.
- Declining SGLI without knowing it also drops Family SGLI and TSGLI and ends your VGLI eligibility.
- Leaving an ex-spouse as beneficiary after a divorce.