Benefit for Same-Sex Civil Unions is Getting Better

From Kim Harkness, Human Resources:

New Hampshire passed a law effective last January that provides access to a legal civil union for same-sex couples, and USNH will be adjusting its Domestic Partner Benefits policy to require either marriage or civil union, as these are both now available to couples.

Because federal law doesn’t provide the same recognition as New Hampshire state law, USNH is still required to tax the value of any benefit provided to a same-sex spouse or partner and his/her dependents.

To make USNH employees whole, we are very excited to clarify that USNH will begin to provide “additional compensation” for those employees who have benefits extended to their spouse/partner and dependents through a same-sex civil union. The “additional compensation” will offset the tax impact required by federal law.

If you have a civil union and have not previously enrolled your spouse or partner in our benefits because of the adverse tax impact, you can now make changes to your 2009 enrollment by declaring your civil union and enrolling your spouse/partner. Then USNH will apply the “additional compensation for tax relief” starting January 1, 2009. To do this, contact Karyn Kaminski at kkaminsk@keene.edu or 8-2486, or visit the Aliquant enrollment website. The deadline for enrollment for a 1/1/09 effective date is 11/21/2008. After January 1, any employee entering a civil union or legal marriage will be allowed to enroll their spouse or partner within thirty days of the event.