Accelerated Death Benefits

Learn about accelerated death benefits for veterans of the U.S. Armed Services.

Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI), Family Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (FSGLI) and Veterans’ Group Life Insurance (VGLI) policyholders who are terminally ill (prognosis of nine months or less to live) have a one-time option of requesting up to 50 percent of their coverage amount (in increments of $5,000) paid in advance.

Table of Contents

About the program

The Accelerated Benefit Option gives terminally-ill SGLI, Family SGLI and VGLI policyholders as well as Traumatic Servicemenbers’ Group Life Insurance (TSGLI) claimants access to the death benefits of their policies before they pass away. The member may receive a portion of the face value of the insurance in a lump sum payment.

Please note you must be a policy holder in order to receive this benefit.

For more information on ABO, read about it in chapter 5 of the SGLI VGLI Handbook, or contact OSGLI.

 

Who is eligible

A member is eligible to receive an Accelerated Benefit if he or she, or a covered spouse, has a valid written prognosis from a physician of nine months or less to live.

Only the insured member may apply for an Accelerated Benefit. No one else can apply on the member's behalf. In the case of a terminally ill spouse, only the member may apply.

The amount of an Accelerated Benefit available to a member is up to 50% of the face value of the member's insurance coverage. If a member elects to receive less than the maximum, the amount requested must be in increments of $5,000.

The portion of the face value of insurance which is not paid in a lump sum as an accelerated benefit is payable to the member's designated beneficiary or beneficiaries upon his or her death. In the case of a terminally ill spouse, the remainder of the insurance is payable to the member upon the spouse's death.

How to apply

Help Us Improve Mass.gov  with your feedback

Please do not include personal or contact information.
Feedback