29-336

Designation of Beneficiary—Government Life Insurance

Agency
VA
Revision
February 2025
Fillable fields
181
Pages
6
Official source
VA form page
Checked
October 20, 2026
Fill 29-336 online
Page 1 of form 29-336

VA Form 29-336: Designation of Beneficiary, Government Life Insurance

VA Form 29-336 is the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Designation of Beneficiary, Government Life Insurance. The form says to use it to designate or make changes to the beneficiaries of Government Life Insurance death proceeds. It does not apply to Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI) or Veterans' Group Life Insurance (VGLI) beneficiary designations, and the designation applies to all policies.

The PDF is six pages: instructions and Section I for the Veteran's identifying information, Section II for up to three principal beneficiaries, Section III for up to three contingent beneficiaries, Section IV for trust designations and Section V for the certification and signature. The form says the information on it replaces any prior beneficiary designations. VA's page says the request can also be submitted online. You can fill out the PDF free in your browser on this page and download the result without an account.

Top of page 1 of VA Form 29-336: Designation of Beneficiary, Government Life Insurance, as printed by VA

What's on VA Form 29-336

Section I: Veteran's identifying information

Name, Social Security number, date of birth, mailing address, email, daytime telephone number, a box for a changed address and a list of all policy numbers. The form says all of it is required.

Section II: principal beneficiaries

For each of up to three: type of beneficiary, name, Social Security number, date of birth, mailing address, email, phone and share as a percentage. The form says the shares total 100%.

Section III: contingent beneficiaries

The same details for up to three people or entities who receive the proceeds if the principal beneficiaries die before the insured, or if an organization named as principal dissolves first.

Section IV: trust designations

The name and date of the trust and up to two trustees' names, addresses, phone numbers and emails, with examples for inter vivos, testamentary and special needs trusts.

Section V: certification and signature

The automatic survivorship clause, the order of precedence, separate terms for VALife and for all other programs, the signature and date, and the witness block.

How to file VA Form 29-336

  1. 1

    Read the instructions and examples

    Page 2 shows how to name an individual, an estate, a funeral home, a charity or a trust. If completed by hand, the form asks for ink and neat, legible printing.

  2. 2

    Complete Section I

    Enter the Veteran's or insured's details and list all policy numbers.

  3. 3

    Name beneficiaries with shares

    Fill in principal beneficiaries in Section II and contingent beneficiaries in Section III, using percentages. The form says that if the shares do not add up to 100%, equal shares will be paid.

  4. 4

    Add trust details if a trust is named

    Check Trust, give its share, then complete Section IV. The form says a trust designation without Section IV is invalid.

  5. 5

    Use VA Form 29-336a for more

    For more than three principal or three contingent beneficiaries, the form points to VA Form 29-336a or a signed sheet of paper listing them.

  6. 6

    Sign and send every page

    The form says all pages are returned at the same time with a signature on the final page, and that alterations, erasures and cross-outs invalidate the designation.

Why fill Form 29-336 on indox

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Where to send it

Online

VA's page says you can submit your request online instead of filling out and sending the paper form. The form points to Online Policy Access at https://www.insurance.va.gov/home.

Document upload

Upload the form through VA's secure website at https://insurance.va.gov/home/IDU.

By mail

Department of Veterans Affairs, Insurance Center, PO Box 5209, Janesville, WI 53547-5209.

Questions

The form gives the toll-free number 1-800-669-8477 for payment options other than a lump sum and for court order requirements.

Edition

The FEB 2025 edition supersedes the OCT 2023 edition, which will not be used. It carries OMB Control No. 2900-0020, which expires 02/28/2028.

Related forms

Who uses VA Form 29-336?

  • The Veteran or insured policyholder

    Section I identifies the Veteran or insured, and the Section V certification begins "I Certify that I am the policyholder". The form says the Veteran or insured signs and dates it.

  • The beneficiaries named

    The form says any person, firm, corporation or organization, trust, or the insured's estate can be named, as principal or contingent beneficiaries.

  • Not a fiduciary, POA or guardian

    The form says a VA Fiduciary, Power of Attorney or Court-Appointed Guardian cannot designate beneficiaries for the Veteran or insured, and that a specific court order is required in such cases.

  • Two witnesses for an X signature

    When the Veteran or insured is competent but cannot sign their name, the form calls for an X in the signature block and two impartial witnesses who are not named as beneficiaries.

  • Trustees of a named trust

    Section IV holds up to two trustees' names and contact details. The form says this information is used to assist VA in obtaining a claim and is not part of the designation.

The form and its instructions describe who signs it and who can be named.

Official sources and the blank

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Questions about Form 29-336

What is VA Form 29-336 used for?

The form says to use it to designate or make changes to the beneficiaries of Government Life Insurance death proceeds.

Does VA Form 29-336 cover SGLI or VGLI?

No. The form says it does not apply to Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI) or Veterans' Group Life Insurance (VGLI) beneficiary designations.

How many beneficiaries can the form hold?

Up to three principal and three contingent beneficiaries. The form points to VA Form 29-336a, Supplemental Designation of Beneficiary, or a signed sheet of paper for more.

What if the shares do not add up to 100%?

The form says that if the designated shares do not add up to 100%, equal shares will be paid.

What if no beneficiary is named?

The form lists an order of precedence: surviving spouse, children and decedents of deceased children, parents or their surviving children, the executor or administrator of the estate, then other next of kin.

Can a Power of Attorney or guardian fill it in for the Veteran?

The form says a VA Fiduciary, Power of Attorney or Court-Appointed Guardian cannot designate beneficiaries for the Veteran or insured, and that a specific court order is required in such cases.

Can I submit VA Form 29-336 online?

Yes. VA's page says you can submit your request online instead of filling out and sending the paper form.