Domestic Partner Benefits

I came back to work and found this information in my work email box:

"Our Corporate office has advised that effective January 1, 2008, Domestic Partners can be covered on our Health and Dental Insurance and on Life and Personal Accident insurance. Anyone who might be interested in further information on this, please contact Human Resources."

I never though that I would have to option to cover my 'Partner' with Company offered benefits. Does this change my mind about Socialized Health Care, which is the only solution to the US Health Care Crisis? Not at all. But it is a positive step forward.

I'm embarrassed to admit it, but I don't know if this is new with the 2008 benefits year or if they've always done it. I just happened to notice it in this year's open enrollment info (maybe because the handouts have changed). It also covers children of the domestic partner. People signing up for the benefit have to fill out some kind of extra form about their status but that's the only extra requirement.

And they are wonderful benefits. It saved us $600 per month.

I am glad they are available for you.

A lot of str8 colleagues don't realize that the tax treatment is different, though: http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=tax+treatment+domestic+partner+benefits

- Dave

to declare it to partner or have it counted as additional income. I always take the hit it's easier

:sarcasm:

- Dave

My partner has health insurance provided by his employer. They also offer domestic partner coverage for a small extra amount. (Of course, you have to pay the imputed benefit to the IRS).

I also have fully paid health insurance from my employer, who last year added sexual orientation to its non-discrimination policy. It clearly states that this includes benefits. This fall when they launched open enrollment, there was no place to add DP's to the coverage, as is the case with the (expensive) dependent coverage available to (hetero) marrieds.

In actuality, we are happy the way things are; neither of us pay $ for coverage. But I'd like to push on this because I really think it fell below their radar. There are only 400 employees, and it may not have yet been challenged.

I am sorry to hear that.

The reason behind domestic partner benefits is because gays can't get married.

Even though you have the option of a recognized marriage I still think if you are in a committed relationship the benefits should be available to you.

should include DP coverage (to be more competitive, as the big boys offer it), and every year I'm SHOCKED by the folks who swear they would quit if such an evil thing happened. This year tho there were actually more yeas than nays, but management still chickened out and denied it. Maybe next year will be the charm! Of course, if you live in CA or some other states they totally have to provide it. I think Hawaii even lets you include a family member (sis or bro or aunt or uncle or something)