Government Life Insurance Claim Forms and Addresses (2026)

If your loved one had federal civilian or military life insurance, the claim usually goes through OFEGLI for FEGLI or OSGLI for SGLI and VGLI. Beneficiaries typically need a certified death certificate, their government ID, the right claim form, and any beneficiary or service records they can find.

This guide is for families who already suspect, or have confirmed, that coverage may have been through the federal government, the military, or veterans coverage. It is informational only and is not legal advice.

First, identify which program applies

Government and military life insurance claims use different offices, forms, and filing paths depending on the type of coverage.

• FEGLI means Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance. It generally covers federal civilian employees and annuitants. Claims are paid by the Office of Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance, or OFEGLI, which is administered by MetLife.
• SGLI means Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance. It generally applies to servicemembers, including active-duty, Guard, and Reserve coverage.
• VGLI means Veterans' Group Life Insurance. It applies to post-service coverage for veterans who converted or continued eligible coverage.

SGLI and VGLI claims are handled by the Office of Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance, or OSGLI, through Prudential for VA.

If you are not sure whether the policy was FEGLI, SGLI, VGLI, an employer plan, or a private policy, start by gathering evidence before you send forms. Look for pay stubs, retiree paperwork, VA insurance notices, beneficiary designation forms, bank deposits from an insurer, and old mail. Sunset can also search for policies as part of the broader estate settlement process, including coverage connected to government, military, employer, and major private carriers.

For a broader life insurance search, see Sunset's guide to finding a deceased person's life insurance policy. If you already know there is a policy and need claim steps, this article focuses on the forms, addresses, and filing details for FEGLI, SGLI, and VGLI.

Quick documents to gather before filing

Most families can start with the same core file, then add program documents as needed.

Gather:

• Certified death certificate
• Government ID for the beneficiary
• Any beneficiary designation forms you can find
• Any policy notices, agency letters, VA insurance records, or insurer mail
• Service or retirement documents if available, such as DD-214 for veterans
• Contact information for the employing agency, OPM, or military records contact if you have it

For FEGLI, the beneficiary generally files FE-6, Claim for Death Benefits. The employing agency or OPM provides certifications that go with the claim, including SF 2821, Agency Certification of Insurance Status. Some annuitant cases may include SF 2820 for retired status.

For SGLI and VGLI, the beneficiary files SGLV 8283, Claim for Death Benefits. VA/OSGLI supports electronic submission and secure document upload.

FEGLI, SGLI, and VGLI filing details

Use the program table below to match the claim type to the right form and destination.

Program	Core beneficiary documents	Program forms	Where to file or send
FEGLI	Certified death certificate; beneficiary ID; any beneficiary designation; agency/OPM certifications as applicable	FE-6, Claim for Death Benefits; agency completes SF 2821, Agency Certification of Insurance Status; some cases include SF 2820, retired status	OFEGLI, P.O. Box 6080, Scranton, PA 18505-6080; overnight: OFEGLI, 10 Ed Preate Dr, Moosic, PA 18507; fax: 1-570-558-8659; help line: 1-800-633-4542
SGLI/VGLI	Certified death certificate; beneficiary ID; service/retirement docs if available, such as DD-214 for veterans	SGLV 8283, Claim for Death Benefits	OSGLI, Prudential, via electronic upload or by mail: VA Insurance Center, P.O. Box 7208, Philadelphia, PA 19101; OSGLI correspondence: P.O. Box 41618, Philadelphia, PA 19176-9913; claims fax, OSGLI: 1-877-832-4943; phone: 1-800-419-1473

Official claim contacts at a glance

These are the key filing details families usually need once the form is ready.

Program	Beneficiary form	Primary filing method	Mailing address	Fax	Phone
FEGLI, civilian federal	FE-6, Claim for Death Benefits. Agency provides SF 2821; annuitant cases may include SF 2820.	Mail or fax to OFEGLI	OFEGLI, P.O. Box 6080, Scranton, PA 18505-6080. Overnight: OFEGLI, 10 Ed Preate Dr, Moosic, PA 18507	1-570-558-8659	1-800-633-4542
SGLI/VGLI, military and veterans	SGLV 8283, Claim for Death Benefits	Electronic upload via VA/OSGLI preferred; otherwise mail	Claims by mail: VA Insurance Center, P.O. Box 7208, Philadelphia, PA 19101. OSGLI correspondence: P.O. Box 41618, Philadelphia, PA 19176-9913	1-877-832-4943	1-800-419-1473

If SGLI or VGLI electronic filing is available to you, that is the fastest way to get the claim into review and to keep proof of submission. If you mail any claim package, use trackable delivery and keep a copy of everything you send.

Verification and payout timing

Verification and payment are not the same step.

In Sunset's experience, most insurers verify a policy match within 2 to 3 business days once all required documentation is submitted. That usually means the insurer has confirmed coverage and beneficiary information. It does not mean the claim has fully paid yet.

For FEGLI follow-up, OFEGLI advises waiting at least 30 days after submitting a claim before calling for status. Secondary documents typically take 7 to 10 days to review once received.

For SGLI and VGLI, VA/OSGLI supports electronic filing and secure document upload. Processing proceeds after OSGLI has all required documents.

If the claim is delayed, the issue is often missing paperwork, unclear beneficiary information, agency or OPM certification, service status, or a mismatch between the documents submitted and the program records.

How the NAIC Life Insurance Policy Locator is different

The NAIC Life Insurance Policy Locator is often misunderstood. It is not a database you search, and it does not give the requester a match or no-match answer.

Here is how it works: you submit a request with the deceased person's information. NAIC forwards that death information to participating insurance carriers. That step is a notification to carriers, not a search results page.

Each participating carrier checks its own records. If a carrier finds a matching policy, the carrier contacts the listed beneficiary directly at the address that carrier has on file for that beneficiary.

NAIC never tells the person who submitted the request whether a match was found. There is no results page, no confirmation either way, and no notice that no policy exists.

That matters because hearing nothing does not mean there was no policy. If the requester is not the listed beneficiary, the beneficiary address on file is out of date, the beneficiary has moved, or the beneficiary has died, the carrier's notice can go nowhere and the requester may never learn that a policy existed.

Sunset works differently. Sunset tells the family where a policy was found and helps them claim it, instead of leaving them waiting on a notice that may never arrive. Sunset also searches 2,300+ financial institutions to find accounts and assets, which can help families build a fuller estate inventory before probate papers, creditor notices, and transfers begin.

For more on asset searches beyond life insurance, see Sunset's guide to finding all assets of a deceased person.

How Sunset helps with FEGLI, SGLI, and VGLI claims

Sunset helps families move from uncertainty to a filed claim package. The goal is to reduce back-and-forth with the insurer or agency while keeping the family in control.

1. Locate and verify coverage

Sunset searches government, military, and private carriers, including FEGLI and SGLI/VGLI paths. During discovery, Sunset confirms potential matches without broadly notifying institutions. Life insurance is the exception where notification is required for claims.

If your family is also trying to find bank accounts, CDs, retirement accounts, or other property, Sunset's asset discovery work can run alongside the insurance search. That assets-and-liabilities-first approach gives an executor or next of kin a clearer picture before deciding whether probate is needed.

2. Prepare forms and supporting evidence

For FEGLI, Sunset can prepare FE-6 and coordinate agency or OPM certifications when applicable, including SF 2821 and SF 2820.

For SGLI and VGLI, Sunset can prepare SGLV 8283 and assemble the certified death certificate, beneficiary ID, and relevant service or retirement records, such as DD-214 if available.

3. File and follow up

Sunset submits the claim package to OFEGLI or OSGLI through the fastest supported channel, electronic where available, otherwise mail or fax. Sunset tracks review steps, handles insurer questions, and requests supplemental documents when needed.

Most insurers take 2 to 3 business days to verify a policy match once documentation is submitted. After that, timing can depend on the program, the beneficiary record, and whether any secondary documents are needed.

4. Keep estate funds organized

After approval, proceeds may be handled outside probate if paid directly to a named beneficiary. In other cases, money may need to be tracked with other estate assets, depending on the beneficiary designation and the claim outcome.

Sunset can help families keep funds organized with an FDIC-insured estate account under the executor's control when an estate account is needed. Sunset's family product is funded through our bank partnership. The estate does not pay Sunset, and all assets go to the beneficiaries and heirs.

Sunset also generates state- and county-specific probate packets and refers families to a local probate attorney when counsel is needed. Sunset is SOC 2 Type II certified and has helped 15,000+ families settle estates.

If you are still early in the process, Sunset's executor first 30 days checklist can help you sort urgent tasks from items that can wait.

Common claim problems families run into

Government and military claims can be delayed for practical reasons. A few of the most common are listed below.

• Multiple potential beneficiaries or unclear designations. Sunset helps compare beneficiary designations against program rules and prepare alternate documentation if the file is incomplete.
• Agency or OPM coordination delays for FEGLI. FEGLI claims may need certifications from the employing office or OPM, such as SF 2821 or SF 2820. Sunset can prompt the right office and keep the package moving.
• Active-duty versus veteran status. SGLI and VGLI use different paths. SGLI applies to servicemembers, while VGLI applies to post-service coverage. Sunset helps route the package to OSGLI based on the right claim path.
• Missing service documents. If records such as DD-214 are available, include them. If they are not available right away, ask the claims office what it needs before sending a partial package.
• Wrong filing channel. SGLI and VGLI electronic upload through VA/OSGLI is preferred where available. FEGLI claims go to OFEGLI by mail or fax.

Before you file, make a clean claim packet

A clean packet reduces the chance of rework. Before you submit, review the file as if the claims examiner has never seen your family's records.

Check that:

• The decedent's name is consistent across the death certificate, claim form, service records, and agency records
• The beneficiary's name and contact information are current
• The form is signed where required
• The certified death certificate is included
• Any agency, OPM, service, or retirement documents are attached if you have them
• You kept a copy of the full packet
• You used electronic upload, fax confirmation, or trackable mail so you have proof of delivery

Do not assume that one government office will forward missing documents to another. FEGLI, SGLI, and VGLI claims move through different offices and require different forms.

FAQ

What form do I use for a FEGLI death claim?

Beneficiaries generally file FE-6, Claim for Death Benefits, for FEGLI. The employing agency completes SF 2821, Agency Certification of Insurance Status. Some annuitant cases may include SF 2820 for retired status.

FEGLI claims are handled by OFEGLI, the Office of Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance, administered by MetLife.

What form do I use for an SGLI or VGLI death claim?

Beneficiaries file SGLV 8283, Claim for Death Benefits, for SGLI and VGLI. Claims are handled by OSGLI, the Office of Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance, through Prudential for VA.

Electronic submission through VA/OSGLI is available and is the preferred filing method where you can use it.

Where do I mail a FEGLI claim?

FEGLI claims can be sent to OFEGLI, P.O. Box 6080, Scranton, PA 18505-6080. Overnight mail can be sent to OFEGLI, 10 Ed Preate Dr, Moosic, PA 18507. The OFEGLI fax number is 1-570-558-8659, and the help line is 1-800-633-4542.

OFEGLI advises waiting at least 30 days after submitting a claim before calling for status.

Where do I send an SGLI or VGLI claim?

SGLI and VGLI claims can be submitted electronically through VA/OSGLI where available. Claims by mail can be sent to VA Insurance Center, P.O. Box 7208, Philadelphia, PA 19101. OSGLI correspondence can be sent to P.O. Box 41618, Philadelphia, PA 19176-9913.

The OSGLI claims fax number is 1-877-832-4943, and the phone number is 1-800-419-1473.

Does the NAIC Life Insurance Policy Locator tell me if there is a policy?

No. The NAIC locator sends death information to participating carriers. Each carrier checks its own records, and if it finds a matching policy, the carrier contacts the listed beneficiary directly at the address on file.

NAIC does not tell the requester whether a match was found. Hearing nothing does not prove there was no policy.

If you need help finding and claiming FEGLI, SGLI, VGLI, or private life insurance, Sunset can help search for coverage, prepare the forms, and keep the claim organized. Start with Sunset's life insurance search, and our team will help you take the next step.