Demand for permanent life insurance continues to grow in America's career military, where two thirds of families now report owning this type of coverage and many others say they are likely to join them, according to the latest findings of the First Command Financial Behaviors Index.
First Command's annual life insurance survey reveals that 67 percent of middle-class military families (commissioned officers and senior NCOs in pay grades E-5 and above with household incomes of at least $50,000) own some form of permanent life coverage. That's up 25 points over the past five years.
Among military families who don't own a permanent life policy, 68 percent say they are likely to consider purchasing one for themselves or someone in their household. This level of interest represents a continuing upward trend, climbing from just 28 percent in 2011.
The most popular forms of permanent life insurance coverage among the military include:
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Whole life, which is owned by 42 percent of survey respondents. That's the same ownership level as the past two years. The index reveals that 36 percent of those who own whole life policies purchased their coverage in the past five years.
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Universal life (24 percent, statistically unchanged from last year).
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Variable life (18 percent, also statistically unchanged from last year).
Meanwhile in the general population, demand remains steady. The index reveals that 40 percent of middle-class civilian families own some form of permanent life coverage, statistically unchanged from five years ago. The most popular form of permanent life insurance coverage in the general population is whole life, owned by 27 percent of families.
Service member demand for temporary life insurance coverage is also up this year. About half of military families (46 percent) report owning term life products, up 13 points from last year.
But the long-term trend remains constrained. Demand is about the same as five years ago. Civilian ownership of term life products has fallen to 39 percent, down nine points from last year. Demand is also about the same as five years ago.
Military families are turning to permanent insurance products as supplemental coverage to their government benefits. Active-duty personnel are eligible for up to $400,000 in Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance, commonly known as SGLI. They may add optional spousal coverage of up to $100,000 and dependent coverage of up to $10,000.
