Founded to protect those who serve
In 1947, the Armed Forces Benefit Association (AFBA) emerged from the basement of the Pentagon to provide our military members with death benefits no one else would. We were founded with a commitment to safeguard those who serve.
We leverage a legacy of service to create a membership experience that caters to the unique needs of all who serve. We make the hardest days easier with a proactive claims process that delivers essential aid swiftly and compassionately. We provide support that goes beyond life with member benefits including a survivor scholarship.
AFBA membership provides military members, first responders, federal employees and contractors, and their families certainty and peace of mind, with benefits tailored to their real-life needs. Purpose-built for all who answer the call to serve, our benefits provide the security our members deserve and the protection their loved ones need. More than 75 years later, we remain steadfast in our mission.
Advancing the AFBA legacy
- Mission – Provide survivor and other benefits to those who serve, defend, and protect this great nation.
- Vision – Excellence, compassion, and security for everyone we serve.
- Values – A workplace dedicated to integrity, commitment, stewardship, service, patriotism, inclusiveness, culture, and social justice.
Our history
1947
1947
AFBA was born in the basement of the Pentagon to solve a critical need in support of military members when commercial companies would not pay life insurance benefits if a servicemember died in combat. With the support of General of the Army, Dwight D. Eisenhower, our noble mission was born and grew.
1967
1967
Coverage was extended to retirees and separatees, dependents, and enlisted personnel to provide protection to even more military families.
1996
1996
In 1996, our wholly owned affiliate 5Star Life Insurance Company was established to provide AFBA members coverage tailored to the unique needs of service life. Since then, 5Star Life has grown and evolved into other segments including the employer group and worksite benefits markets.
2001
2001
After 9/11, AFBA realized that serving, defending, and protecting our country extended beyond the military and began offering membership to first responders.
2002
2002
AFBA began to partner with state associations to offer membership to the National Guard through the State Sponsored Life Insurance program.
2004
2004
Charles C. Blanton Family Survivor College Scholarship is established for families of eligible fallen members.
2012
2012
Began partnering with the First Responder Task Force to bring member benefits to our nation’s first responders. The Task Force serves as our “boots on the ground” and has served more than 7,000 agencies.
Today
Today
We serve 920,000 members and their families and have paid over $2 billion in survivor benefits in every military conflict since the Korean War through our modern-day war on terrorism.
Financially secure
$53 billion of life insurance member benefits in force.
Strength in numbers
920,000 members-strong.
Standing by our members
$2 billion paid in survivor benefits.
About 5Star Life Insurance Company
As a related enterprise to the non-profit Armed Forces Benefit Association (AFBA), 5Star Life Insurance Company (5Star Life) was founded in service and commitment to those who serve, from underwriting benefits for military and first responder families to providing coverage to the employees that keep our communities running.
5Star Life’s commitment to our communities – rather than the bottom line – drives our business. 5Star Life is AFBA’s principal underwriter for life insurance member benefits, underpinning AFBA’s support of our country’s armed forces and first responders.
Read our 2023 Enterprise Report to learn how we work to build a membership experience that caters to the needs of those who serve, protect, and defend at every level.
5Star Life Insurance Company is AFBA’s wholly owned affiliate and life insurance underwriter for its member benefits. It has been awarded on the Forbes list of World’s Best Insurance Companies in 2023 and 2024. Learn more
AFBA is not affiliated with any government agency
Photo of Dwight Eisenhower courtesy of eisenhowerlibrary.gov