VGLI vs. Private Term Simulator

Compare the exponential step-curve of VGLI against a standard level-term policy over your chosen horizon.

Policy Parameters

Current Age41

Coverage Amount$500,000

Private Monthly Premium$65

Simulation Term

20-Yr VGLI Total

$34,110

20-Yr Private Total

$15,600

Cost Intersection Age

41.1 yrs

20-Yr Difference

$18,510

Private cheaper overall

Cheaper at 5 Years

Private

Saves $625

Cheaper at 10 Years

Private

Saves $3,075

Cheaper at 15 Years

Private

Saves $8,590

Monthly Out-of-Pocket Cost Over Time

Cumulative Cost Over Time

Monthly & Milestone Comparison

Month	Age	VGLI Monthly	Private Monthly	VGLI Cumulative	Private Cumulative	Difference
1	41.1	$70.00	$65.00	$70	$65	+$5
2	41.2	$70.00	$65.00	$140	$130	+$10
3	41.3	$70.00	$65.00	$210	$195	+$15
4	41.3	$70.00	$65.00	$280	$260	+$20
5	41.4	$70.00	$65.00	$350	$325	+$25
6	41.5	$70.00	$65.00	$420	$390	+$30
7	41.6	$70.00	$65.00	$490	$455	+$35
8	41.7	$70.00	$65.00	$560	$520	+$40
9	41.8	$70.00	$65.00	$630	$585	+$45
10	41.8	$70.00	$65.00	$700	$650	+$50
11	41.9	$70.00	$65.00	$770	$715	+$55
12	42.0 · Yr 1	$70.00	$65.00	$840	$780	+$60
13	42.1	$70.00	$65.00	$910	$845	+$65
14	42.2	$70.00	$65.00	$980	$910	+$70
15	42.3	$70.00	$65.00	$1,050	$975	+$75
16	42.3	$70.00	$65.00	$1,120	$1,040	+$80
17	42.4	$70.00	$65.00	$1,190	$1,105	+$85
18	42.5	$70.00	$65.00	$1,260	$1,170	+$90
19	42.6	$70.00	$65.00	$1,330	$1,235	+$95
20	42.7	$70.00	$65.00	$1,400	$1,300	+$100
21	42.8	$70.00	$65.00	$1,470	$1,365	+$105
22	42.8	$70.00	$65.00	$1,540	$1,430	+$110
23	42.9	$70.00	$65.00	$1,610	$1,495	+$115
24	43.0 · Yr 2	$70.00	$65.00	$1,680	$1,560	+$120
25	43.1	$70.00	$65.00	$1,750	$1,625	+$125
26	43.2	$70.00	$65.00	$1,820	$1,690	+$130
27	43.3	$70.00	$65.00	$1,890	$1,755	+$135
28	43.3	$70.00	$65.00	$1,960	$1,820	+$140
29	43.4	$70.00	$65.00	$2,030	$1,885	+$145
30	43.5	$70.00	$65.00	$2,100	$1,950	+$150
31	43.6	$70.00	$65.00	$2,170	$2,015	+$155
32	43.7	$70.00	$65.00	$2,240	$2,080	+$160
33	43.8	$70.00	$65.00	$2,310	$2,145	+$165
34	43.8	$70.00	$65.00	$2,380	$2,210	+$170
35	43.9	$70.00	$65.00	$2,450	$2,275	+$175
36	44.0 · Yr 3	$70.00	$65.00	$2,520	$2,340	+$180
37	44.1	$70.00	$65.00	$2,590	$2,405	+$185
38	44.2	$70.00	$65.00	$2,660	$2,470	+$190
39	44.3	$70.00	$65.00	$2,730	$2,535	+$195
40	44.3	$70.00	$65.00	$2,800	$2,600	+$200
41	44.4	$70.00	$65.00	$2,870	$2,665	+$205
42	44.5	$70.00	$65.00	$2,940	$2,730	+$210
43	44.6	$70.00	$65.00	$3,010	$2,795	+$215
44	44.7	$70.00	$65.00	$3,080	$2,860	+$220
45	44.8	$70.00	$65.00	$3,150	$2,925	+$225
46	44.8	$70.00	$65.00	$3,220	$2,990	+$230
47	44.9	$70.00	$65.00	$3,290	$3,055	+$235
48	45.0 · Yr 4	$95.00	$65.00	$3,385	$3,120	+$265
49	45.1	$95.00	$65.00	$3,480	$3,185	+$295
50	45.2	$95.00	$65.00	$3,575	$3,250	+$325
51	45.3	$95.00	$65.00	$3,670	$3,315	+$355
52	45.3	$95.00	$65.00	$3,765	$3,380	+$385
53	45.4	$95.00	$65.00	$3,860	$3,445	+$415
54	45.5	$95.00	$65.00	$3,955	$3,510	+$445
55	45.6	$95.00	$65.00	$4,050	$3,575	+$475
56	45.7	$95.00	$65.00	$4,145	$3,640	+$505
57	45.8	$95.00	$65.00	$4,240	$3,705	+$535
58	45.8	$95.00	$65.00	$4,335	$3,770	+$565
59	45.9	$95.00	$65.00	$4,430	$3,835	+$595
60	46.0 · Yr 5	$95.00	$65.00	$4,525	$3,900	+$625
61	46.1	$95.00	$65.00	$4,620	$3,965	+$655
62	46.2	$95.00	$65.00	$4,715	$4,030	+$685
63	46.3	$95.00	$65.00	$4,810	$4,095	+$715
64	46.3	$95.00	$65.00	$4,905	$4,160	+$745
65	46.4	$95.00	$65.00	$5,000	$4,225	+$775
66	46.5	$95.00	$65.00	$5,095	$4,290	+$805
67	46.6	$95.00	$65.00	$5,190	$4,355	+$835
68	46.7	$95.00	$65.00	$5,285	$4,420	+$865
69	46.8	$95.00	$65.00	$5,380	$4,485	+$895
70	46.8	$95.00	$65.00	$5,475	$4,550	+$925
71	46.9	$95.00	$65.00	$5,570	$4,615	+$955
72	47.0 · Yr 6	$95.00	$65.00	$5,665	$4,680	+$985
73	47.1	$95.00	$65.00	$5,760	$4,745	+$1,015
74	47.2	$95.00	$65.00	$5,855	$4,810	+$1,045
75	47.3	$95.00	$65.00	$5,950	$4,875	+$1,075
76	47.3	$95.00	$65.00	$6,045	$4,940	+$1,105
77	47.4	$95.00	$65.00	$6,140	$5,005	+$1,135
78	47.5	$95.00	$65.00	$6,235	$5,070	+$1,165
79	47.6	$95.00	$65.00	$6,330	$5,135	+$1,195
80	47.7	$95.00	$65.00	$6,425	$5,200	+$1,225
81	47.8	$95.00	$65.00	$6,520	$5,265	+$1,255
82	47.8	$95.00	$65.00	$6,615	$5,330	+$1,285
83	47.9	$95.00	$65.00	$6,710	$5,395	+$1,315
84	48.0 · Yr 7	$95.00	$65.00	$6,805	$5,460	+$1,345
85	48.1	$95.00	$65.00	$6,900	$5,525	+$1,375
86	48.2	$95.00	$65.00	$6,995	$5,590	+$1,405
87	48.3	$95.00	$65.00	$7,090	$5,655	+$1,435
88	48.3	$95.00	$65.00	$7,185	$5,720	+$1,465
89	48.4	$95.00	$65.00	$7,280	$5,785	+$1,495
90	48.5	$95.00	$65.00	$7,375	$5,850	+$1,525
91	48.6	$95.00	$65.00	$7,470	$5,915	+$1,555
92	48.7	$95.00	$65.00	$7,565	$5,980	+$1,585
93	48.8	$95.00	$65.00	$7,660	$6,045	+$1,615
94	48.8	$95.00	$65.00	$7,755	$6,110	+$1,645
95	48.9	$95.00	$65.00	$7,850	$6,175	+$1,675
96	49.0 · Yr 8	$95.00	$65.00	$7,945	$6,240	+$1,705
97	49.1	$95.00	$65.00	$8,040	$6,305	+$1,735
98	49.2	$95.00	$65.00	$8,135	$6,370	+$1,765
99	49.3	$95.00	$65.00	$8,230	$6,435	+$1,795
100	49.3	$95.00	$65.00	$8,325	$6,500	+$1,825
101	49.4	$95.00	$65.00	$8,420	$6,565	+$1,855
102	49.5	$95.00	$65.00	$8,515	$6,630	+$1,885
103	49.6	$95.00	$65.00	$8,610	$6,695	+$1,915
104	49.7	$95.00	$65.00	$8,705	$6,760	+$1,945
105	49.8	$95.00	$65.00	$8,800	$6,825	+$1,975
106	49.8	$95.00	$65.00	$8,895	$6,890	+$2,005
107	49.9	$95.00	$65.00	$8,990	$6,955	+$2,035
108	50.0 · Yr 9	$145.00	$65.00	$9,135	$7,020	+$2,115
109	50.1	$145.00	$65.00	$9,280	$7,085	+$2,195
110	50.2	$145.00	$65.00	$9,425	$7,150	+$2,275
111	50.3	$145.00	$65.00	$9,570	$7,215	+$2,355
112	50.3	$145.00	$65.00	$9,715	$7,280	+$2,435
113	50.4	$145.00	$65.00	$9,860	$7,345	+$2,515
114	50.5	$145.00	$65.00	$10,005	$7,410	+$2,595
115	50.6	$145.00	$65.00	$10,150	$7,475	+$2,675
116	50.7	$145.00	$65.00	$10,295	$7,540	+$2,755
117	50.8	$145.00	$65.00	$10,440	$7,605	+$2,835
118	50.8	$145.00	$65.00	$10,585	$7,670	+$2,915
119	50.9	$145.00	$65.00	$10,730	$7,735	+$2,995
120	51.0 · Yr 10	$145.00	$65.00	$10,875	$7,800	+$3,075
121	51.1	$145.00	$65.00	$11,020	$7,865	+$3,155
122	51.2	$145.00	$65.00	$11,165	$7,930	+$3,235
123	51.3	$145.00	$65.00	$11,310	$7,995	+$3,315
124	51.3	$145.00	$65.00	$11,455	$8,060	+$3,395
125	51.4	$145.00	$65.00	$11,600	$8,125	+$3,475
126	51.5	$145.00	$65.00	$11,745	$8,190	+$3,555
127	51.6	$145.00	$65.00	$11,890	$8,255	+$3,635
128	51.7	$145.00	$65.00	$12,035	$8,320	+$3,715
129	51.8	$145.00	$65.00	$12,180	$8,385	+$3,795
130	51.8	$145.00	$65.00	$12,325	$8,450	+$3,875
131	51.9	$145.00	$65.00	$12,470	$8,515	+$3,955
132	52.0 · Yr 11	$145.00	$65.00	$12,615	$8,580	+$4,035
133	52.1	$145.00	$65.00	$12,760	$8,645	+$4,115
134	52.2	$145.00	$65.00	$12,905	$8,710	+$4,195
135	52.3	$145.00	$65.00	$13,050	$8,775	+$4,275
136	52.3	$145.00	$65.00	$13,195	$8,840	+$4,355
137	52.4	$145.00	$65.00	$13,340	$8,905	+$4,435
138	52.5	$145.00	$65.00	$13,485	$8,970	+$4,515
139	52.6	$145.00	$65.00	$13,630	$9,035	+$4,595
140	52.7	$145.00	$65.00	$13,775	$9,100	+$4,675
141	52.8	$145.00	$65.00	$13,920	$9,165	+$4,755
142	52.8	$145.00	$65.00	$14,065	$9,230	+$4,835
143	52.9	$145.00	$65.00	$14,210	$9,295	+$4,915
144	53.0 · Yr 12	$145.00	$65.00	$14,355	$9,360	+$4,995
145	53.1	$145.00	$65.00	$14,500	$9,425	+$5,075
146	53.2	$145.00	$65.00	$14,645	$9,490	+$5,155
147	53.3	$145.00	$65.00	$14,790	$9,555	+$5,235
148	53.3	$145.00	$65.00	$14,935	$9,620	+$5,315
149	53.4	$145.00	$65.00	$15,080	$9,685	+$5,395
150	53.5	$145.00	$65.00	$15,225	$9,750	+$5,475
151	53.6	$145.00	$65.00	$15,370	$9,815	+$5,555
152	53.7	$145.00	$65.00	$15,515	$9,880	+$5,635
153	53.8	$145.00	$65.00	$15,660	$9,945	+$5,715
154	53.8	$145.00	$65.00	$15,805	$10,010	+$5,795
155	53.9	$145.00	$65.00	$15,950	$10,075	+$5,875
156	54.0 · Yr 13	$145.00	$65.00	$16,095	$10,140	+$5,955
157	54.1	$145.00	$65.00	$16,240	$10,205	+$6,035
158	54.2	$145.00	$65.00	$16,385	$10,270	+$6,115
159	54.3	$145.00	$65.00	$16,530	$10,335	+$6,195
160	54.3	$145.00	$65.00	$16,675	$10,400	+$6,275
161	54.4	$145.00	$65.00	$16,820	$10,465	+$6,355
162	54.5	$145.00	$65.00	$16,965	$10,530	+$6,435
163	54.6	$145.00	$65.00	$17,110	$10,595	+$6,515
164	54.7	$145.00	$65.00	$17,255	$10,660	+$6,595
165	54.8	$145.00	$65.00	$17,400	$10,725	+$6,675
166	54.8	$145.00	$65.00	$17,545	$10,790	+$6,755
167	54.9	$145.00	$65.00	$17,690	$10,855	+$6,835
168	55.0 · Yr 14	$200.00	$65.00	$17,890	$10,920	+$6,970
169	55.1	$200.00	$65.00	$18,090	$10,985	+$7,105
170	55.2	$200.00	$65.00	$18,290	$11,050	+$7,240
171	55.3	$200.00	$65.00	$18,490	$11,115	+$7,375
172	55.3	$200.00	$65.00	$18,690	$11,180	+$7,510
173	55.4	$200.00	$65.00	$18,890	$11,245	+$7,645
174	55.5	$200.00	$65.00	$19,090	$11,310	+$7,780
175	55.6	$200.00	$65.00	$19,290	$11,375	+$7,915
176	55.7	$200.00	$65.00	$19,490	$11,440	+$8,050
177	55.8	$200.00	$65.00	$19,690	$11,505	+$8,185
178	55.8	$200.00	$65.00	$19,890	$11,570	+$8,320
179	55.9	$200.00	$65.00	$20,090	$11,635	+$8,455
180	56.0 · Yr 15	$200.00	$65.00	$20,290	$11,700	+$8,590
181	56.1	$200.00	$65.00	$20,490	$11,765	+$8,725
182	56.2	$200.00	$65.00	$20,690	$11,830	+$8,860
183	56.3	$200.00	$65.00	$20,890	$11,895	+$8,995
184	56.3	$200.00	$65.00	$21,090	$11,960	+$9,130
185	56.4	$200.00	$65.00	$21,290	$12,025	+$9,265
186	56.5	$200.00	$65.00	$21,490	$12,090	+$9,400
187	56.6	$200.00	$65.00	$21,690	$12,155	+$9,535
188	56.7	$200.00	$65.00	$21,890	$12,220	+$9,670
189	56.8	$200.00	$65.00	$22,090	$12,285	+$9,805
190	56.8	$200.00	$65.00	$22,290	$12,350	+$9,940
191	56.9	$200.00	$65.00	$22,490	$12,415	+$10,075
192	57.0 · Yr 16	$200.00	$65.00	$22,690	$12,480	+$10,210
193	57.1	$200.00	$65.00	$22,890	$12,545	+$10,345
194	57.2	$200.00	$65.00	$23,090	$12,610	+$10,480
195	57.3	$200.00	$65.00	$23,290	$12,675	+$10,615
196	57.3	$200.00	$65.00	$23,490	$12,740	+$10,750
197	57.4	$200.00	$65.00	$23,690	$12,805	+$10,885
198	57.5	$200.00	$65.00	$23,890	$12,870	+$11,020
199	57.6	$200.00	$65.00	$24,090	$12,935	+$11,155
200	57.7	$200.00	$65.00	$24,290	$13,000	+$11,290
201	57.8	$200.00	$65.00	$24,490	$13,065	+$11,425
202	57.8	$200.00	$65.00	$24,690	$13,130	+$11,560
203	57.9	$200.00	$65.00	$24,890	$13,195	+$11,695
204	58.0 · Yr 17	$200.00	$65.00	$25,090	$13,260	+$11,830
205	58.1	$200.00	$65.00	$25,290	$13,325	+$11,965
206	58.2	$200.00	$65.00	$25,490	$13,390	+$12,100
207	58.3	$200.00	$65.00	$25,690	$13,455	+$12,235
208	58.3	$200.00	$65.00	$25,890	$13,520	+$12,370
209	58.4	$200.00	$65.00	$26,090	$13,585	+$12,505
210	58.5	$200.00	$65.00	$26,290	$13,650	+$12,640
211	58.6	$200.00	$65.00	$26,490	$13,715	+$12,775
212	58.7	$200.00	$65.00	$26,690	$13,780	+$12,910
213	58.8	$200.00	$65.00	$26,890	$13,845	+$13,045
214	58.8	$200.00	$65.00	$27,090	$13,910	+$13,180
215	58.9	$200.00	$65.00	$27,290	$13,975	+$13,315
216	59.0 · Yr 18	$200.00	$65.00	$27,490	$14,040	+$13,450
217	59.1	$200.00	$65.00	$27,690	$14,105	+$13,585
218	59.2	$200.00	$65.00	$27,890	$14,170	+$13,720
219	59.3	$200.00	$65.00	$28,090	$14,235	+$13,855
220	59.3	$200.00	$65.00	$28,290	$14,300	+$13,990
221	59.4	$200.00	$65.00	$28,490	$14,365	+$14,125
222	59.5	$200.00	$65.00	$28,690	$14,430	+$14,260
223	59.6	$200.00	$65.00	$28,890	$14,495	+$14,395
224	59.7	$200.00	$65.00	$29,090	$14,560	+$14,530
225	59.8	$200.00	$65.00	$29,290	$14,625	+$14,665
226	59.8	$200.00	$65.00	$29,490	$14,690	+$14,800
227	59.9	$200.00	$65.00	$29,690	$14,755	+$14,935
228	60.0 · Yr 19	$340.00	$65.00	$30,030	$14,820	+$15,210
229	60.1	$340.00	$65.00	$30,370	$14,885	+$15,485
230	60.2	$340.00	$65.00	$30,710	$14,950	+$15,760
231	60.3	$340.00	$65.00	$31,050	$15,015	+$16,035
232	60.3	$340.00	$65.00	$31,390	$15,080	+$16,310
233	60.4	$340.00	$65.00	$31,730	$15,145	+$16,585
234	60.5	$340.00	$65.00	$32,070	$15,210	+$16,860
235	60.6	$340.00	$65.00	$32,410	$15,275	+$17,135
236	60.7	$340.00	$65.00	$32,750	$15,340	+$17,410
237	60.8	$340.00	$65.00	$33,090	$15,405	+$17,685
238	60.8	$340.00	$65.00	$33,430	$15,470	+$17,960
239	60.9	$340.00	$65.00	$33,770	$15,535	+$18,235
240	61.0 · Yr 20	$340.00	$65.00	$34,110	$15,600	+$18,510

Highlighted rows mark each annual milestone. Negative difference = VGLI cheaper to date.

How Your Private Premium Is Calculated

Your Private Monthly Premium starts from a default ($65/mo) anchored to the Policygenius Price Index and NerdWallet rate tables for a healthy non-smoker buying a 20-year level term policy at the selected age and coverage amount. Adjust the slider to match a real quote you've received; the simulator multiplies that fixed monthly premium by the number of months in your selected term to produce the Private cumulative cost.

Assumptions baked into the default $65/mo:

20-year level term policy (premium fixed for the chosen horizon).
Health class: Preferred / Preferred Plus non-smoker (no major conditions).
Coverage: matches the Coverage Amount slider above.
Issue age: equals the Current Age slider above.
Gender-blended rate (midpoint of male/female quotes in the cited tables).
No riders, no return-of-premium, no group/employer discount.

Override the slider with a real quote you've received to model your own carrier and underwriting class.

Sources

VGLI rates are drawn from official U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs publications. Private term rates are anchored to industry-published benchmark indices.

VGLIVA SGLI-VGLI Handbook
Publication date
Revised July 2025 (v1.18)
Quote / index
VGLI Premium Rate Table
Table / row used
Appendix C — monthly premium per $10,000 of coverage by 5-year age band (29 & under … 75+).
Authoritative VGLI rate schedule used for the step-curve.
VGLIVA VGLI Premium Discount
Publication date
Effective July 1, 2025
Quote / index
VGLI 2025 Discounted Premium Schedule
Table / row used
Posted age-band rates (29 & under, 30-34, 35-39, …, 75+).
Confirms the discounted per-$10k monthly figures applied here.
VGLIVA News
Publication date
June 18, 2025
Quote / index
"Life insurance premiums discounted for service members, spouses and Veterans"
Table / row used
Editorial confirmation of the July 1, 2025 rate cut.
Press release announcing the discount that is modeled here.
PrivatePolicygenius Life Insurance Price Index
Publication date
February 2025 (published Feb 2025)
Quote / index
Policygenius Life Insurance Price Index — Term Life section
Table / row used
20-year level term, $500,000 face amount, Preferred (non-smoker) — male/female monthly rates by age 25, 35, 45, 55.
Primary benchmark for the default Private Monthly Premium.
PrivateNerdWallet Average Life Insurance Rates
Publication date
Updated 2026
Quote / index
"Average life insurance rates by age, term length and gender"
Table / row used
20-year term, $500,000 coverage, healthy non-smoker — monthly rate table rows for ages 30, 40, 50, 60.
Cross-check used to calibrate the slider's default range.

This simulator is for educational comparison only and does not constitute financial or insurance advice. Actual private quotes vary by carrier, underwriting class, state, and medical history.