$350K seems adequate to me, and the premium is certainly not horribly high.
Just checked my husband's SGLI...the monthly deduction was $16.25 for the $250K coverage he has.
Considering my husband is airborne infantry currently deployed in Iraq, that montly premium for that amount of coverage is likely much lower than he would pay with a private insurance company (if he were even allowed coverage).
I don't really have any complaints about it. IMUS needs to pay a little more attention to his own problems.
The SGLI is more than adequate for the average service member.
I was annoyed when some in the media tried to make an issue out it. It is the responsibility of the individuals in the military to take steps to provide for their families and the military helps them to do just that.
IMHO, one can do more productive things than listen to IMUS.
It’s a pretty good deal. If the service member feels the need for more, the civilian world will be more than happy to take up the slack.
I was in the service and I could not decline. I had a $200,000.00 policy for $16.00 a month. I could have chosen the $100,000.00 policy for $8.00 per month but as far as I know, it was mandatory. I didn't mind. I was a reservist. $16.00 out of my check was nothing. And I've kept the policy now that I'm out for the same price!! It's a very good deal. I don't know what the hell Imus is complaining about.
Also, we had to go over this paperwork once a year in case we were mobilized and we would have gone over it again if we ever were so if these soldiers don't have enough insurance, it's their own fault. Death and dismemberment is always a possiblity when you raise your hand and sign up.
It isn't the cost of SGLI while a serviceman is active duty, it is the cost of VGLI after a serviceman retires that is abhorent. I declined VGLI when I retired because I was able to procure a less expensive form of term life insurance than I was able to get through Veteran's Group Life Insurance.