Group Term Life Insurance
Life Insurance for Department of Defense (War) Employees
WAEPA offers current and former Civilian Federal Employees up to $2 million in Group Term Life Insurance, with typically no medical exams.
Founded in 1943, WAEPA began as War Agencies Employees Protective Association and provided life insurance coverage for Civilian Federal Employees in active war zones during World War II. Today, current and former civilian DOD employees are still eligible for WAEPA’s exclusive protection.
The Department of Defense, now designated the Department of War, employs 3.4 million service members and civilians. The Department includes the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, and Coast Guard.
The DOD employs nearly 750,000 Civilian Federal Employees across more than 650 different occupations worldwide.
Civilian Feds Who Work For the DOD Are Eligible for WAEPA
If you are a Civilian Federal Employee who currently works, or previously worked, for the Department of Defense (War), you are eligible to apply for WAEPA’s exclusive Group Term Life Insurance and other products.
Retired military personnel, Reservists, and National Guard members may also be eligible if they are current or former Civilian Federal Employees.
Ready to Help Protect Your Family’s Future?
for DOD Employees
Group Term Life Insurance
WAEPA offers eligible Feds, former Feds, and their family up to $2 million in exclusive Group Term Life Insurance. This coverage is fully portable, yours to keep even if you change jobs, retire, or later enter active-duty military service.
You must be a current or former Civilian Federal Employee under the age of 70 to apply for coverage. Once coverage, you can keep your protection until your 85th birthday.
Group Short-Term Disability Insurance
WAEPA’s paycheck protection helps protect your income when you can’t work due to eligible illnesses or injuries, with up to $6,500/month for up to six months.
You must be a current or former Civilian Federal Employee under age 65 (18-64) and working a minimum of 30 hours per week to apply. Coverage can continue until your 70th birthday.
New Federal Employee: Guaranteed Issue
New Civilian Federal Employees can take advantage of this exclusive offer as they begin their time in Federal service.
New Federal employees can enjoy up to $100,000 in guaranteed coverage when they apply within their first year of hire. No medical exams or labs required.
Associate Membership
Through WAEPA’s Associate Membership, eligible family members of Civilian Federal Employees can apply for $2 million in coverage of their own. This eligibility includes spouses, parents/parents-in-law, and (step)children.
Understanding Department of Defense (War) Life Insurance Options
Since the DOD includes both active-duty service members and civilians, different employees within the department may encounter several life insurance programs, depending on their military or veteran-status.
Here are notable options, and who is eligible:
- Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI) provides term life insurance to eligible active-duty service members, Reservists, National Guard members, and certain other uniformed service members.
- Family Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (FSGLI) offers life insurance coverage for spouses and children of service members covered under full-time SGLI.
- Veterans’ Group Life Insurance (VGLI) allows eligible Veterans to continue life insurance coverage after leaving military service.
- Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) provides coverage to eligible Civilian Federal Employees. Most employees in FEGLI-eligible positions are automatically enrolled in Basic coverage when they enter pay and duty status unless they waive it.
- WAEPA Group Term Life Insurance is exclusively available to eligible Civilian Feds, former Feds, and eligible family, including those who are also Veterans, Reservists, National Guard members, or military retirees.
Military and Veteran FAQs
If you’re retired military personnel who’s also a current or former Civilian Federal Employee, you’re eligible for coverage from us. If you’re not and never have been a Civilian Federal Employee/retired annuitant, you can only apply for coverage as an Associate member if your spouse is WAEPA Member.
If you’re a Federal civilian who happens to be stationed in or commutes to a combat zone, you would be covered. If you’re an activated Reservist or National Guardsman, who gained WAEPA membership prior to activation, your basic coverage would also be intact.
The Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) coverage, which is in addition to, not a part of, the basic coverage you have, won’t be paid if the death was a result of an “Act of War”.
No. Full-time, active duty members of the Armed Forces aren’t eligible for coverage. However, if you’re a Reservist or National Guardsman, you can apply for coverage, provided you’re a current or former Civilian Federal Employee. If you become activated, you can maintain your in-force coverage, but cannot apply for new coverage.
Resources for DOD Employees
With WAEPA, you get more than life insurance. We offer helpful tools, resources, and free financial planning.
Am I a Federal Employee?
The DOD workforce includes uniformed service members, civilian employees, and contractors. Learn how to determine whether you hold a civilian Federal position and what that status may mean for your WAEPA eligibility.
Federal Employee Relocation Guide for Civilian Federal Employees
As a DOD civilian, your service may take you to different duty locations throughout your career. Understanding your Federal relocation benefits, allowances, and other considerations can help make this transition easier.
Veterans’ Preference in Hiring Guide
Military service and civilian Federal employment are different statuses, but prior service may help Veterans begin or continue a Federal career. This comprehensive guide discusses how Veterans’ preference works and how it may apply during the Federal hiring process.
WAEPA IS THE NAME FEDS HAVE TRUSTED SINCE 1943
Reliably Backed by New York Life Insurance Company
QUESTIONS?
We’re Here to Help
If you’re unsure of your coverage needs or need help with the application process, our dedicated team of specialists is available to help you.
Give Us a Call
Our team is available at
(800) 368-3484
M-Thu 8:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
F 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. ET
Related Resources
Disclaimers
Underwritten by New York Life Insurance Company, 51 Madison Ave., New York, NY 10010 on Policy Form GMR-FACE/G-30280-0, Policy form GMR-FACE/G-30281-0.
WP-DOD-0526-29
*Group Term Life Insurance is not available in the following U.S. Territories: American Samoa, Northern Mariana Islands, U.S. Minor Outlying Islands, Micronesia, Marshall Islands, and Palau.
**Benefits cannot exceed 60% of your average monthly income when combined with all other income benefits you receive from any other source. See other income benefits provision for more details. Consult a tax advisor for details around tax free disability benefits.
***New York and Utah residents are not currently eligible for QuickDecision.
****Louisiana residents: please contact WAEPA Member Services at (800) 368-3484 for more information on applying for coverage.
*****Michigan residents: I understand that I may use a producer/agent to assist me with the completion of this application at no cost to me.