Military money after husband's death?

Fatboy

That is the $400K life insurance (SGLI) that her husband signed up for, paid for, and she's eligible for.

The Serviceman's Group Life Insurance, better known as SGLI, is group term life insurance currently available to all members of the U.S. Army. SGLI is a group life insurance policy purchased by the VA from a commercial life insurance company, and is partially subsidized by the federal government.

Service members on active duty, active duty for training or inactive duty for training and members of the Reserves are automatically covered for $400,000, the maximum amount of coverage, unless they opt out in writing. A soldier can elect lower coverage or no coverage by completing VA Form SGLV-8286. Basic SGLI premiums are currently $.065 per $1,000 of insurance, regardless of the member's age. View rates for different coverage amounts.

GunnyC

400,0000 is about the right amount for insrance. No they would not pay out for negligence just because; they would have to be sued and lose. Suing is not hard but winning a case against the military is not easy.

sarge927

Fatboy is 100% correct -- the $400,000.00 your best friend received is from SGLI. Every military member gets signed up for it unless they go down to the personnel office and fill out paperwork stating they DO NOT want life insurance.

P.S.: In case your friend is thinking about suing the Navy for medical malpractice, tell her not to waste her time or money. The Feres doctrine bars military members (or their surviving spouses) from suing the government over the death or personal injury of a military member while on active duty. She'd spend a lot of money on an attorney only to have the case thrown out of court.

faceman888

400k sounds about right.

Untamed Rose

her husband was signed up and paying for life insurance....no big mystery.

Shouldnt you be more worried about helping your friend out rather then worry about where she got her money? kinda shallow.

Edit: if she didnt tell you it really isnt any of your business...besides it takes years to get any money from a lawsuit or a settlement, life insurance few weeks at most....I think the poor girl needs some new friends

Smoker06

She got the $400K as Servicemember's Group Life Insurance. $400K is the default amount. (See link one below.) You can opt for less or none at all. Sounds like her husband was a smart man and took care of her.

But you need to advise her she is entitled to other benefits (not nearly as much as the $400K). (See link two below.) She should contact her Survival Assistance Officer if she has not received them.

Cass

Life insurance!! Stop being so nosy!

wolfman72585

She recieved the money from his life insurance policy. It varies from person to person as to how much depending on how the person sets it up, but 400K is right and it is not a settlement for the militarys negligence.

mrsbratt

My husband's life insurance policy through the military is that much, $400,000. Maybe she didn't know that he had this life insurance or that it was that high.

I don't think the military doctors would have to even offer her any type of settlement even if there is any type of malpractice involved. Look into the Feres Doctrine, it says that the military doctors cannot be sued for malpractice. Look up a video on youtube about Carmelo Rodriguez and you will understand why this most likely was not a settlement. It most likely was his life insurance.

Condolences to her and the family.

Rebecca

SGLI isn't only for service members who are deployed, it covers them at any point while under contract. The Feres Doctrine is a terrible thing that should be reviewed & adjusted but until it is we or our soldiers/military can not sue the military/government for malpractice or neglect. Condolences to your friend.

desertviking_00

It's the right amount. A combination of death gratuity and military life insurance. The Feres Doctrine prohibits suing the military for medical malpractice. And those people who think it is some kind of settlement for not treating his heart attack symptoms, there are very few medical centers who would automatically suppose that a 22-year old is suffering a fatal heart attack. It appears to me he may have had some long-standing cardiac condition which pre-existed his entry.

cordeliabrainiac

Its called SGLI (Soldier's Group Life Insurance). Every military person is automatically insured for that amount. You have to make the effort to decrease it. Its life insurance, your survivors collect when you die. Nothing scandulous about that. There's also a $100K death gratuity to cover funeral related expenses, transportation issues, etc.

I am disappointed in two things:
1) You don't know squat about the US military. Don't bother learning anything about it. Its only your tax dollars and your freedom.
2) Your friend apparently needs to meet some new people. Her husband died and you are wrapped up in where she got her money and if she's telling the truth. Have you no decency?

AFwife

its his SGLI, for one thing, you cant sue a military doctor......secondly settlements take alot longer than that to go through. she is also entitled to survivors benefits of several thousand dollars if she hasnt gotten it yet. maybe she didnt know it was his life insurance?....to my knowledge SGLI goes from the private ins company to the military then they pay the beneficiary, some spouses may not consider 400k the military hands over to them as life insurance.

davidmi711

I am not sure of the default amount of SGLI, however $400,000 is significantly higher than that. However, he may have opted for additional coverage.

The check should have indicated on a stub what the money was for.

oldmarine08

It may have been both, Insurance through the military as well as privately and maybe some compensation but I doubt it!

WiseGal

That is the thing about military IF they get hurt like
one guy I know did. He was drunk and fell of a cliff
at beach and broke arms and leg and had problems
walking after he went on immediate 100% disability
with quite a few benefits out there that are extra.
I know one man who needed to wear knee braces
due to injury then wore them for 3 months only going to
doctor at VA now he still gets $660. a year for
"uniform allowance" and we taxpayers pay for all of this
and them some, meahwhile guys/gals missing limbs
coming from Iraq struggle to get help......

navy wife

She did NOT receive any type of settlement she is correct every member gives a name that in case of their death the person they chose will receive 400,000 no joke ! God bless her and as we all no it sounds nice but that money will not bring back her hubby sadly

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