Title 38 › PART II — GENERAL BENEFITS › CHAPTER 19 — INSURANCE › SUBCHAPTER I — NATIONAL SERVICE LIFE INSURANCE › § 1907
Dividends paid after January 1, 1952 will automatically go to pay future insurance premiums unless the insured sends a written request telling the Secretary to use them another way. If someone asks for cash for a special dividend declared before January 1, 1952, that request must have been filed within six years of the dividend’s declaration. Late requests will be sent back with a copy of this rule and that reply is final. An insured can ask in writing to use dividends to buy paid-up insurance without proving good health. For dividends payable after the application date this is allowed. During the one-year period starting September 1, 1991, insureds could also use existing dividend credits and deposits at the application date the same way. After September 1, 1992, the Secretary may allow more one-year periods if it is actuarially and administratively sound. Dividends on endowment policies can only buy paid-up endowment insurance that matures with the main policy. Dividends on other policies can only buy paid-up whole life insurance. The paid-up insurance is extra and follows the standard policy terms except: premiums and cash/loan values use mortality and interest tables set by the Secretary; the total disability income provision under section 1915 of this title cannot be added; and the Secretary may make other reasonable changes.
Full Legal Text
Veterans' Benefits, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
Legislative History
Reference
Citation
38 U.S.C. § 1907
Title 38, Veterans' Benefits
Last Updated
Aug 21, 2026
Release point: 119-102