---
kind: "section"
citation: "38 U.S.C. § 1972"
title: "38"
title_heading: "Veterans’ Benefits"
number: "1972"
heading: "Benefit certificates"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/38/1972"
units:
  - "Part II — General Benefits"
  - "Chapter 19 — Insurance"
  - "Subchapter III — Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance"
---

# §1972. Benefit certificates


The [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) shall arrange to have each [member](/usc/38/1965.md?p=5) insured under a policy purchased under [section 1966 of this title](/usc/38/1966.md) receive a certificate setting forth the benefits to which the [member](/usc/38/1965.md?p=5) is entitled thereunder, to whom such benefit shall be payable, to whom claims should be submitted, and summarizing the provisions of the policy principally affecting the [member](/usc/38/1965.md?p=5). Such certificate shall be in lieu of the certificate which the [insurance](/usc/38/1901.md?p=1) company or companies would otherwise be required to issue.


## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 89–214, § 1(a), Sept. 29, 1965, 79 Stat. 885, § 772; renumbered § 1972 and amended Pub. L. 102–83, §§ 4(b)(1), (2)(E), 5(a), (c)(1), Aug. 6, 1991, 105 Stat. 404–406.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

1991—Pub. L. 102–83, § 5(a), renumbered section 772 of this title as this section.

Pub. L. 102–83, § 5(c)(1), substituted “1966” for “766”.

Pub. L. 102–83, § 4(b)(1), (2)(E), substituted “Secretary” for “Administrator”.