2013 CEI Criteria - Equivalent Spousal and Partner Benefits
- Equivalent medical benefits (15)
- Includes parity between employees with different-sex spouses and same-sex partners or spouses in the provision of the following benefits: COBRA; dental; vision; legal dependent coverage; bereavement leave; employer-provided supplemental life insurance for a partner; relocation/travel assistance; adoption assistance; qualified joint and survivor annuity for partners; qualified pre-retirement survivor annuity for partners; retiree healthcare benefits; and employee discounts (10)
Benefits for same-sex partners (including state-registered domestic partners, civil union partners and same-sex spouses*) must be equivalent to those provided to employees with different-sex spouses to the extent permitted by law.
*State registration should substitute for a domestic partnership affidavit (if an affidavit is required for enrollment purposes) and be a qualifying event for benefits enrollment. Requirements to provide proof of relationship should be the same for same-sex as for different-sex spouses.
