SBP is a good deal if private life insurance is too expensive due to some kind of pre-existing condition or family history. I didn't intend to support my wife indefinitely if I died, I figured at some point she could work or re-marry. I guess that makes me a tool of the day. What I did want to do was provide for my kids and their education so when we opted out of the SBP I bought term life insurance to make sure they (and my wife) would have enough money to live comfortably until they were out of college at least. Its definitely a private decision that you and your wife need to make based on your personal situation and how "lucky" you feel about living a good, long life. For us, term life insurance was the cheaper option.

Thank you for your service and good luck in the "real world."

FJ