About the program
The State Sponsored Life Insurance (SSLI) program provides group term life insurance exclusively for actively serving members of the Army and Air National Guard organizations and their dependents. The program is derived from United States Public Law 93-289, May 24, 1974, to encourage persons to join and remain in the National Guard.
Armed Forces Benefit Association (AFBA), through its wholly owned subsidiary, 5Star Life Insurance Company (5Star Life), protects National Guard families through our partnership with state associations.
Service that’s mission-ready
Proudly protecting the National Guard for 22 years.
National Guard members and their families covered.
Life insurance benefits in force.
Survivor benefits paid to families.
Coverage options available through your state association
Survivor benefit
Provides a $1,000 non-contributory survivor benefit for active guard members paid for by your National Guard state association.
Provides financial protection in the event of death with coverage from $5,000-$50,000. It also provides coverage for your spouse and/ or children.
Provides additional group term life insurance benefit with a level death benefit a for members and spouses with coverage available.
Product features
Survivor Benefit
$1,000 non-contributory survivor benefit for active Soldiers and Airmen paid for by your National Guard state association.
Ease of Payment
Simple payment available through direct bill or payroll deduction.
24-Hour Coverage
No war or terrorism exclusions. You are covered on and off duty with no hazardous, line of duty or occupational restrictions.
Emergency Death Benefit
Once you have coverage for two years, up to $15,000 of the total death benefit is released as an Emergency Death Benefit (EDB).*
Keep the Coverage
After you retire or separate, you can continue your coverage for you and your family as long as contributions are paid.
Family survivor college scholarship
As a unique member benefit, AFBA is proud to offer families of eligible fallen members the Charles C. Blanton AFBA Family Survivor College Scholarship. Surviving spouse and children are eligible for $10,000 per year, up to a total maximum benefit for the entire family of $40,000 toward an undergraduate degree, license or certification.
Not available in New York. In Virginia, only available to First Responders.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible to enroll for coverage?
Military personnel actively serving in the National Guard and their spouses are eligible to enroll for coverage. Individuals ages 18-59 may enroll.
Do I need a medical exam?
No medical exam up to age 50 for $250,000 of coverage and up to age 60 for $100,000. Just complete the enrollment form and answer a few health questions. Coverage is not guaranteed to issue and is dependent upon the answers to the health questions.
Can I keep the coverage after I retire or separate?
There are no occupation restrictions, so regardless of what you do after separation or any health issues that develop in the future, you’re covered. As long as contributions are paid.**
Can I enroll if I use tobacco products?
Yes. Tobacco and non-tobacco rates are available. A tobacco user is one who has used tobacco/nicotine products in the past 12 months.
What are the available methods of payment?
- Military allotment
- Direct bill/ACH
Schedule a briefing
To schedule a briefing at your unit, please call 800-462-7441.
* EDB is released within one business day once all requirements are met. It can be done over the phone without the need to provide a death certificate as long as third-party proof of death can be verified (subject to contestability). ** See product pages for more information on group term coverage.
Images courtesy of National Guard Flickr account. The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.
Life insurance member benefits provided by AFBA are underwritten by 5Star Life Insurance Company (a Lincoln, Nebraska company) with an administrative office at 110 W Johnson St, Suite 300, Staunton, VA 24401. Survivor benefits are not available in all states and U.S. Territories.