WAEPA was formed in 1943 during World War II to provide access to life insurance coverage for civilian employees of the U.S. government who were serving overseas. The original name, War Agencies Employees Protective Association, was changed in 1961. Today, more than 44,000 members belong to WAEPA and their in-force life insurance purchased through WAEPA exceeds $10 billion. WAEPA's Group Term Life Insurance is underwritten by New York Life Insurance Company.