Explore our 2024 Enterprise Report and learn how we work to build a membership experience that caters to the needs of those who serve, protect, and defend at every level.
Founded to protect
Providing financial security and peace of mind to those who risk their lives, Armed Forces Benefit Association (AFBA) is a non-profit, membership-driven organization that protects 920,000 members and their families through survivor benefits backed by life insurance and additional member advantages.
Membership and member benefits
Our membership, the lifeblood of our association, grew to 920,000 with military servicemembers accounting for 70 percent and first responders for 30 percent of our membership. A more detailed breakout is included further below.
Joining AFBA offers more than just life insurance benefits and financial security. Members and their beneficiaries enjoy a variety of perks, including a college scholarship and exclusive discounts on travel, healthcare, shopping, entertainment, and financial and legal services*, helping to reduce overall costs. Additionally, you gain automatic eligibility for an Association of the United States Army (AUSA) membership, which further enhances your benefits.
Fulfilling our mission
AFBA was founded in the basement of the **Pentagon to pay a death benefit when military members died in combat, and more than 78 years later, we continue to fulfill our mission paying nearly $86 million in death benefits in the past year alone.
Facilitating AFBA’s mission is our wholly-owned affiliate, 5Star Life Insurance Company (5Star Life), which in addition to being the life insurance underwriter of AFBA member benefits, it is also a growing provider of group and worksite insurance products offering life, accident, healthcare indemnity, and critical illness coverage to 137,000 insureds.
Over the past 78 years, AFBA has paid 2 billion in death benefits and helped thousands of families in their darkest hour. As the keepers of the AFBA legacy, we remain steadfast to carry on its honorable and patriotic mission – to provide survivor and other benefits to those who serve, defend, and protect this great nation.
Thank you for your service!
General Craig R. McKinley, USAF (Ret.)
Chair, AFBA
General Larry O. Spencer, USAF (Ret.)
President, AFBA
Chair and President, 5Star Life
Explore our 2023 Enterprise Report to learn how we improve the membership experience for everyone who serves, protects, and defends us at all levels.
Founded to protect
This past year saw some exciting developments for our enterprise. One of the most impactful, today and into the future, was the complete overhaul of our brand. We launched two new websites, logos, and visual elements. We focused on more customer/member-focused content, intuitive navigation, and improved our customer service section. Our overarching goal was to improve the member experience. We are pleased with the results and hope you are as well.
Membership and member benefits
Our membership, the lifeblood of our association, grew to 542,000 with military servicemembers accounting for 48 percent and first responders for 39 percent of our membership. A more detailed breakout is included further below.
We added two new relationships to our roster of member benefits. Armed Forces Insurance (AFI) provides auto and home insurance, and the Association of United States Army (AUSA) offers our members a free membership to AUSA, as well as access to their member benefits. With an array of benefits that provide access to services and/or discounts for education, travel, healthcare, shopping, entertainment, financial, and legal services, *our members can find a benefit that suits them at any stage of life.
Fulfilling our mission
Armed Forces Benefit Association (AFBA) was founded in the basement of the Pentagon** to pay a death benefit when military members died in combat, and more than 75 years later, we continue to fulfill our mission paying nearly $100 million in death benefits in the past year alone.
Facilitating AFBA’s mission is our wholly-owned affiliate, 5Star Life Insurance Company (5Star Life), which in addition to being the life insurance underwriter of AFBA member benefits, it is also a growing provider of group and worksite insurance products offering life, accident, healthcare indemnity, and critical illness coverage to 127,000 insureds.
Over the past 75 years, AFBA has paid 2 billion in death benefits and helped thousands of families in their darkest hour. As the keepers of the AFBA legacy, we remain steadfast to carry on its honorable and patriotic mission – to provide survivor and other benefits to those who serve, defend, and protect this great nation.
Thank you for your service!
General Craig R. McKinley, USAF (Ret.)
Chair, AFBA
General Larry O. Spencer, USAF (Ret.)
President, AFBA
Chair and President, 5Star Life
Recognition for the second year in a row reaffirms growth and customer experience strategy
ALEXANDRIA, VA. 5Star Life Insurance Company (5Star Life) has achieved a significant milestone for the second year in a row by securing a prominent position on Forbes’ list of the World’s Best Insurance Companies 2024. This recognition is presented by Forbes and Statista Inc., an industry ranking provider and a leading statistics portal. The complete list is available on the Forbes website. 5Star Life is the Armed Forces Benefit Association (AFBA) wholly owned affiliate and life insurance underwriter for its member benefits.
“This recognition underscores our credibility in the marketplace and success implementing our long-term strategy focused on growth and top-notch customer service,” said General Larry O. Spencer, USAF (Ret.), President of 5Star Life.
“5Star Life anchors its service to its valued customers and partners on the remarkable efforts of its dedicated employees. We are gratified that this achievement recognizes their daily commitment to excellence,” said Mike Moser, Chief Distribution and Legal Officer.
The Forbes’ 2024 ranking of the World’s Best Insurance Companies stems from a comprehensive, independent survey conducted with Statista, a leading market research firm. This far-reaching survey gathered feedback from over 45,000 consumers across 15 countries about their satisfaction levels with various life insurance companies. Participants who had held a life insurance policy in the last three years shared insights on their satisfaction and willingness to recommend their insurer. They also rated insurers on criteria such as the quality of employee advice, customer service, and transparency. After analyzing the survey data, the top 145 insurance companies with the highest scores made it to the final list.
“Being singled out a second time in this survey effort gives weight to our long-standing commitment to our partners and fuels our passion to further innovate and deliver even better servicing outcomes from those interactions as we move forward together,” stated Sal Campanile, Vice President, Worksite Sales and Operations of 5Star Life.
About 5Star Life
5Star Life Insurance Company is the life insurance underwriter for the Armed Forces Benefit Association (AFBA) member benefits and a growing provider of group and worksite voluntary insurance products. Its business model enables 5Star Life to serve the needs of a diverse clientele as an insurance provider to individuals and organizations and as a trusted partner to brokers. Headquartered in Alexandria, VA, 5Star Life is currently licensed in 49 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Guam. 5Star Life was awarded on the Forbes World’s Best Insurance Companies 2023 and 2024 list.