Every California National Guard member is covered by $1,000 of state sponsored life insurance at no cost. You can buy more through the Armed Forces Benefit Association: $10,000 to $260,000 for yourself, $5,000 to $155,000 for your spouse and $5,000 to $10,000 for each child. Coverage runs until age 70, premiums come out of your pay, and the rates and benefits do not change when you retire or separate from the Guard. There are no war, aviation or terrorism exclusions, coverage is 24 hours a day on or off duty, an emergency death benefit of up to $25,000 can be paid within 24 hours, and up to $40,000 in scholarship money is available to eligible dependents if a member dies in a combat zone or from an act of terrorism.