Separating from Camp Pendleton or already out? Before you convert SGLI to VGLI, compare it to private term life. Many healthy veterans pay less for more coverage — locked in for decades.
Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI) generally continues for 120 days after you separate. After that, you can convert to Veterans’ Group Life Insurance (VGLI) — but VGLI premiums are based on age and rise every five years. Private term life, by contrast, can lock one level premium for 10, 20 or 30 years.
The smart move is to compare both before your SGLI ends. If you’re healthy, private term often costs less for the same coverage. If you have a service-connected condition, VGLI’s conversion option may be valuable — and we’ll tell you honestly when it’s the better choice. Check current VGLI rules and deadlines with the VA at va.gov.
Private term locks your rate for the full term. VGLI premiums increase as you move into each new five-year age band.
Private carriers commonly offer $1,000,000+ in coverage — useful for families with a mortgage in Oceanside or anywhere in coastal California.
If you have a service-connected disability or other condition, VGLI conversion or a high-risk specialist carrier may be the better route. We compare both.
Active-duty spouses who need their own coverage, veterans starting civilian careers, retirees reviewing coverage before Medicare, and families buying their first home in Oceanside, Vista or Fallbrook. We also help with high-risk life insurance for veterans with health conditions, and final expense coverage for older veterans.
Term life isn’t priced by ZIP code — your rate comes down to age, health, term length and, above all, which carrier you apply to. That’s why comparing 80+ carriers matters. Sample monthly rates, 20-year level term, $500,000, preferred non-tobacco:
| Age | Female | Male |
|---|---|---|
| 30 | $20/month | $24/month |
| 40 | $32/month | $37/month |
| 50 | $69/month | $93/month |
| 60 | $189/month | $274/month |
*Sample rates for illustration only, based on published 2026 industry averages. Your premium depends on age, health, lifestyle, coverage amount and carrier. Not a guarantee of coverage or price.
If you’re healthy, private term life often costs less and keeps a level premium for decades. If you have health conditions that would make private coverage expensive or hard to get, VGLI may be the better choice. We compare both side by side.
SGLI generally continues for 120 days after separation. Confirm the current rules and VGLI application deadlines with the VA.
Yes. Spouses can buy private term or permanent coverage independently, which stays in place regardless of the servicemember’s status.
Policies for civilians generally don’t. Some carriers ask about pending deployment for active-duty applicants. We’ll point you to carriers that fit your situation.
Yes. Comparing options and quotes costs nothing; carrier premiums are the same with or without an agent.
From our Carlsbad office we work with families in Carlsbad, Oceanside, Vista, San Marcos, Escondido, Encinitas, Solana Beach, Del Mar, Fallbrook and Poway — and with clients nationwide by phone and video.
Licensed agent · Gemspire Insurance Solutions DBA Compare Life Insurance · CA Ins. Lic. #0K90560 · 701 Palomar Airport Rd, Carlsbad, CA 92011
Separating from Camp Pendleton or already out? Before you convert SGLI to VGLI, compare it to private term life. Many healthy veterans pay less for more coverage — locked in for decades.
Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI) generally continues for 120 days after you separate. After that, you can convert to Veterans’ Group Life Insurance (VGLI) — but VGLI premiums are based on age and rise every five years. Private term life, by contrast, can lock one level premium for 10, 20 or 30 years.
The smart move is to compare both before your SGLI ends. If you’re healthy, private term often costs less for the same coverage. If you have a service-connected condition, VGLI’s conversion option may be valuable — and we’ll tell you honestly when it’s the better choice. Check current VGLI rules and deadlines with the VA at va.gov.
Private term locks your rate for the full term. VGLI premiums increase as you move into each new five-year age band.
Private carriers commonly offer $1,000,000+ in coverage — useful for families with a mortgage in Oceanside or anywhere in coastal California.
If you have a service-connected disability or other condition, VGLI conversion or a high-risk specialist carrier may be the better route. We compare both.
Active-duty spouses who need their own coverage, veterans starting civilian careers, retirees reviewing coverage before Medicare, and families buying their first home in Oceanside, Vista or Fallbrook. We also help with high-risk life insurance for veterans with health conditions, and final expense coverage for older veterans.
Term life isn’t priced by ZIP code — your rate comes down to age, health, term length and, above all, which carrier you apply to. That’s why comparing 80+ carriers matters. Sample monthly rates, 20-year level term, $500,000, preferred non-tobacco:
| Age | Female | Male |
|---|---|---|
| 30 | $20/month | $24/month |
| 40 | $32/month | $37/month |
| 50 | $69/month | $93/month |
| 60 | $189/month | $274/month |
*Sample rates for illustration only, based on published 2026 industry averages. Your premium depends on age, health, lifestyle, coverage amount and carrier. Not a guarantee of coverage or price.
If you’re healthy, private term life often costs less and keeps a level premium for decades. If you have health conditions that would make private coverage expensive or hard to get, VGLI may be the better choice. We compare both side by side.
SGLI generally continues for 120 days after separation. Confirm the current rules and VGLI application deadlines with the VA.
Yes. Spouses can buy private term or permanent coverage independently, which stays in place regardless of the servicemember’s status.
Policies for civilians generally don’t. Some carriers ask about pending deployment for active-duty applicants. We’ll point you to carriers that fit your situation.
Yes. Comparing options and quotes costs nothing; carrier premiums are the same with or without an agent.
From our Carlsbad office we work with families in Carlsbad, Oceanside, Vista, San Marcos, Escondido, Encinitas, Solana Beach, Del Mar, Fallbrook and Poway — and with clients nationwide by phone and video.
Licensed agent · Gemspire Insurance Solutions DBA Compare Life Insurance · CA Ins. Lic. #0K90560 · 701 Palomar Airport Rd, Carlsbad, CA 92011
