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SGLI Online Enrollment System (SOES)
SOES is Now Live for All Servicemembers
SGLI provides automatic life insurance coverage of $500,000 to Servicemembers upon enlistment. Members with SGLI also get automatic traumatic injury protection (TSGLI) and life insurance coverage for their dependent children and spouse under the Family SGLI program, unless the child or spouse is already insured under SGLI as a Servicemember. Servicemembers with full-time SGLI coverage will no longer have to complete a paper SGLV-8286 to make changes to their coverage or beneficiary elections. Instead, these Servicemembers can use the online system, SOES, to manage the amount of their SGLI and spouse coverage and to designate or update beneficiaries.
To access, go to SOES, sign in, and go to Benefits, Life Insurance SOES- SGLI Online Enrollment System. Servicemembers can log in with their CAC or with their DS Logon as soon as they receive notice that SOES access is available. Servicemembers can then make sure their SGLI coverage and beneficiaries are up-to-date.
Have questions about SOES? Review answers to Frequently Asked Questions below.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is SOES?
SOES is the Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI) On-Line Enrollment System. It replaces the paper-based SGLI/Family SGLI (FSGLI) enrollment, maintains elections and beneficiary information, and provides 24/7 self-service access to SGLI information. SGLI provides insurance coverage to eligible members of the active and reserve components. SOES centralizes SGLI/FSGLI data into one authoritative system capable of providing consistent SGLI/FSGLI information to members and their leadership.
What can Servicemembers do in SOES?
Servicemembers may:
- Increase, reduce or cancel SGLI and FSGLI coverage
- Add a beneficiary or edit SGLI beneficiary information
- View, save, print or email a SGLI Coverage Certificate
What if Servicemembers don't have access to a computer?
Members can complete paper elections using the SGLV 8286 and provide it to their Personnel Office to ensure their wishes are known. When computer access is obtained, go into SOES and make the appropriate elections/updates.
What if a Servicemember still wants to submit changes via paper?
A Servicemember will only be able to submit changes via paper if a computer is not readily available, or if the member is only eligible for part-time coverage, such as Guard or reserve members who are not assigned to a unit, or not scheduled to drill at least 12 times per year.
Can a Servicemember’s beneficiary make a claim for SGLI benefits through SOES?
No, beneficiaries will need to contact the Casualty Office to make a claim.
Where can a Servicemember find SOES?
SOES can be found through the DoD milConnect portal.
How will Servicemembers find out when their uniformed service has access to SOES during the rollout?
Servicemembers will receive information on the transition from their respective Service.
What information do Servicemembers need to logon to SOES?
Servicemembers need a Common Access Card (CAC) or a DoD Self-Service (DS) Logon.
How long will it take for changes made in SOES to be effective?
Changes to beneficiaries, coverage increases, and restorations of coverage are effective immediately. Reductions to coverage amounts and coverage cancellations are not effective until the first day of the month following the date a member makes his/her request. Until that date passes, the member will continue to see the previous coverage amount.
If a Servicemember is deployed and wants to make changes to beneficiaries or coverage through SOES, can someone do it on their behalf?
A Servicemember must make his/her own elections and changes in SOES. No third party currently has the ability to make changes to a Servicemember’s account.
How will Servicemembers know that the changes have been made to their SGLI coverage?
After confirming and certifying the changes, a Servicemember can view his/her updates in SOES. Pending changes will be noted on the home screen. Members may also view, print, save or email the SGLI Certificate of Coverage on-line to see changes.
Can reserve and National Guard members with part-time SGLI also access their coverage online?
No, online access is only available to those with full-time SGLI coverage. This includes:
- Active duty members
- Reserve and Guard members assigned to a unit and scheduled to drill 12 times or more per year
SGLI members with part-time coverage will continue to use the paper SGLV 8286 to make coverage and beneficiary changes.
Can Servicemembers automatically enroll in Veterans’ Group Life Insurance through SOES?
No, SOES is only for SGLI coverage for eligible active-duty and reserve components. Servicemembers may apply for VGLI using the SGLV 8714 or online upon separation. VGLI is lifetime renewable group term insurance for Servicemembers who had SGLI at separation or for up to two years following separation due to total disability. Generally, Servicemembers must apply for VGLI within 1 year and 120 days of separation. Applications received within 240 days of separation do not require a health questionnaire.
NOTE: Servicemembers who are totally disabled at separation may qualify for the SGLI Disability Extension, free coverage for up to two years from separation, before conversion to VGLI. Servicemembers cannot use SOES to apply for this coverage. Instead, Servicemembers who believe they may be eligible should use the SGLV 8715.
Will beneficiaries and coverage amounts automatically transfer to VGLI with SOES?
Coverage amounts will not be automatically transferred to VGLI when a Servicemember separates from service. Beneficiary designations will transfer for only 60 days after the effective date of VGLI coverage. When applying for VGLI, separating Servicemembers are asked to name a beneficiary and can update that beneficiary at any time once the coverage is in effect. However, in limited situations with legally-mandated time frames, such as when the separating Servicemember is incompetent, the SGLI beneficiary designation listed in SOES will be the VGLI designation of record.
