Fedsf Same-Sex Spouses, Families Are Eligible for Benefits Immediately
By Eric Katz
June 28, 2013 - GovExec.com
The Obama administration has offered preliminary guidance for the inclusion
of same-sex couples in federal employee benefit programs, in light of the
Supreme Courtfs ruling that struck
down the Defense of Marriage Act Tuesday.
The Office of Personnel Management issued instructions
for the implementation of the DOMA repeal for health benefits, life insurance,
dental and vision insurance, long-term care insurance, retirement and flexible
spending accounts. Same-sex spouses, as well as their children and step
children, will be covered under these federal programs and gtreated just as
those of opposite-sex marriages,h OPM said.
All glegally married same-sex couplesh are now eligible for self and family
enrollment under the Federal Employees Health Benefits program. Employees can
make immediate enrollment changes in the next 60 days, or again during Open
Season later this year. Already-enrolled employees can enroll their same-sex
spouse effective immediately upon notifying their FEHB provider.
The same applies to the Federal Employees Group Life Insurance Program.
Federal workers can add their same-sex spouse and eligible family members to the
Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program through the self or family
enrollment, as well as the newly created Self Plus One option.
All federal retirees in a legal same-sex marriage have two years from June
26 -- the date of the Supreme Courtfs decision -- to notify OPM of the marriage
and elect any changes to their retirement benefits. While OPM is currently
working on additional guidance to help retirees determine whether they should
adjust their pension benefits, the agency has made clear that ggoing forward,
the same-sex spouse of retiring employees will be eligible for survivor
annuities.h
Employees enrolled in flexible spending accounts can now submit claims for
medical expenses for their same-sex spouse, and married same-sex couples can
apply for long-term care insurance.
Elaine Kaplan -- OPMfs acting director -- acknowledged it is gimpossible to
answer today every question that [federal employees] may have,h but said
additional guidance gwill be coming soon.h
gI want to assure you that the U.S. Office of Personnel Management is
committed to working with the Department of Justice to ensure swift and seamless
implementation of the courtfs ruling,h Kaplan said.
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