VA Form 29-336a: Supplemental Designation of Beneficiary

VA Form 29-336a: Supplemental Designation of Beneficiary – VA Form 29-336a: Supplemental Designation of Beneficiary—Government Life Insurance is a key document for U.S. veterans holding VA Government Life Insurance policies (such as those starting with V, RH, RS, J, K, or W). This supplemental form allows you to designate additional principal or contingent beneficiaries beyond the limits of the primary VA Form 29-336.

What Is VA Form 29-336a?

VA Form 29-336a serves as a supplement to VA Form 29-336. It provides space for naming more beneficiaries when the main form’s sections for principal and contingent beneficiaries are insufficient.

The form applies exclusively to VA Government Life Insurance policies and does not cover Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI) or Veterans’ Group Life Insurance (VGLI). Use it to update or add beneficiaries for your life insurance death proceeds.

Current version: February 2025 (supersedes October 2023). OMB Control No. 2900-0020, expiration 02/28/2028.

Why Use VA Form 29-336a for Beneficiary Designation?

Life events like marriage, divorce, birth of a child, or the death of a loved one often require updating beneficiaries. Properly designating beneficiaries ensures your VA life insurance proceeds go to the intended recipients without delays or reliance on the default order of precedence.

The supplemental form is essential if you want to name more than the standard number of principal or contingent beneficiaries allowed on Form 29-336.

Key Features of the Form

  • Principal Beneficiaries: First in line to receive proceeds. Shares must total 100%.
  • Contingent Beneficiaries: Receive proceeds if all principal beneficiaries predecease you.
  • Trust Designations: Dedicated section for naming trusts with trustee details.
  • Flexibility: Name individuals, estates, trusts, charities, organizations, or funeral homes.

Important: Any alterations, erasures, or cross-outs invalidate the form. All pages must be submitted together with a signature on the final page.

How to Download VA Form 29-336a?

Download the official fillable PDF here:
VA Form 29-336a – Supplemental Designation of Beneficiary (PDF)

You can also access it directly from the VA website: VA Forms – 29-336a.

Step-by-Step Guide to Completing VA Form 29-336a

  1. Provide Veteran/Insured Information: Full name, SSN, list all policy numbers, and reference the date of your completed VA Form 29-336.
  2. Section I – Principal Beneficiaries: Specify type (spouse, child, etc.), name, SSN, DOB, address, contact info, and percentage shares (total 100%).
  3. Section II – Contingent Beneficiaries: Same details as principal, for backup recipients.
  4. Section III – Trust Designations: Complete if naming a trust (include trust name, date, trustees).
  5. Signature: Sign and date. If unable to sign, use witnessed “X” mark with two impartial witnesses.

Pro Tip: Print neatly in ink or use the fillable PDF. Submit via the VA Insurance Document Upload at insurance.va.gov or mail to:
Department of Veterans Affairs, Insurance Center, PO Box 5209, Janesville, WI 53547-5209.

Online Option for Faster Updates

VA encourages veterans to create an account at https://insurance.va.gov/home/ for instant, secure online beneficiary updates—often faster than paper forms.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Exceeding share percentages (must total 100%).
  • Using this form for SGLI/VGLI.
  • Incomplete addresses or missing policy numbers.
  • Failing to submit all pages together.
  • Naming beneficiaries ambiguously, which may default to order of precedence.

Order of Precedence If No Valid Beneficiary Is Designated

If no valid designation exists, proceeds go in this order:

  1. Surviving spouse
  2. Children (or descendants of deceased children)
  3. Parents (or siblings if parents deceased)
  4. Executor/administrator of estate
  5. Other next of kin per state law.

Who Should Use This Form?

U.S. veterans with active VA Government Life Insurance policies who need to designate more beneficiaries than the primary form allows. Review your designations after major life events for peace of mind.

Additional Resources

Always use official VA sources for the most current information. Beneficiary designations are revocable and can be changed anytime without notifying previous beneficiaries.