Creating a Domestic Partner Benefits Policy

Lorman Education Services

Learn how to create a sound benefits policy for LGBT employees and their partners.

Even after the landmark same-sex marriage Supreme Court cases in recent years, offering benefits to LGBT employees and their partners can still be very confusing. While same-sex marriage is now legal across the country, new issues are arising regarding domestic partnerships, retroactive same-sex partner benefits, and transgendered employees.

These recent developments can be troubling for employers that are trying to determine how to deal with retirement benefits, spousal benefits, and welfare benefits for employees with same-gender partners and transgendered employees. Employers facing such situations have to evaluate their benefit plan documents, HR policies, and administrative procedures in light of state and local laws and court cases in order to know how to respond. This topic will provide benefit plan sponsors and administrators with the information they need to administer their benefit plans in accordance with applicable laws and will discuss best practices for offering benefits to LGBT employees and their partners.

Learning Objectives

• You will be able to identify how same-sex partner benefits have changed in recent years.
  
• You will be able to describe differences between same-sex spouses and domestic partners.
  
• You will be able to recognize issues when creating a domestic partner benefits policy.
  
• You will be able to discuss the impact on benefit plans.

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