For many years, employees were treated as equals, and benefits would work on the assumption that everybody was the same. Today, this area is improving, and employees are starting to feel like they’re being treated as unique individuals - this is excellent news. For example, one recent addition has been same-sex benefits.
Improvements in Same-Sex Benefits
Before we go any
further, we should note that things are improving for those in same-sex
relationships. Back in 2015, the Supreme Court decided that same-sex marriages
would have more access to survivor and spousal benefits. On a state level,
couples would have 81 different options when claiming Social
Security benefits. What’s more, the
website now has a fantastic calculator so that ALL couples can make sense of
their claiming strategy and make wise decisions.
For the Social Security
Administration, same-sex marriages are recognized across all states. When
determining Medicare and Social Security benefits, this is essential. What’s
more, the recent changes have also expanded to include some domestic
partnerships and civil unions. Whether you’re an employee or an employer who
wants to help an employee, now is the time to act. With so many changes in
recent years, it’s essential to continually keep thinking about financial
planning to ensure the best path is chosen.
Implementing Benefits for Employees
More businesses are
becoming socially conscious, and as an employer, you have a responsibility to offer benefits to employees. Sometimes, these benefits are actually what draws talent towards your company over the competition. Especially if you can’t afford to compete with others in your niche, you might still get high-quality talent by offering the right benefits. These days, same-sex benefits fall into this conversation.
Depending on your state, it’s time to bring your policies into the 21st century and ensure that ALL employees have the benefits they need. For example, you might have bereavement leave for couples, and this should be available for same-sex marriages just as it is for other marriages. Furthermore, when employing new talent, all policies should read equally. Rather than referring to ‘husband’ or ‘wife’ when drawing up a plan for an individual, simply put ‘spouse,’ and this will cover their relationship, regardless of sexual orientation.
Elsewhere, you may need to update retirement, insurance, and pension plans. With this in mind, you need a conversation with employees if they want to update their beneficiary for insurance purposes. Even with something simple like contact information, it’s time to implement equality with regards to same-sex marriages in the workplace, and it’s something you can start today.
At this point, we should note that same-sex spouses are protected under the laws on marital status discrimination. Also, it can affect things like health coverage, tax, and other areas of the business. If you’re having trouble understanding same-sex benefit options and how you can update your policies in the right way, feel free to contact a third-party specialist. In case you didn’t know, there are some innovative, forward-thinking, online HR companies like Paycom that can take care of all this for you. Meanwhile, you concentrate on pushing the business forward and keeping employees working efficiently.
Depending on your state, it’s time to bring your policies into the 21st century and ensure that ALL employees have the benefits they need. For example, you might have bereavement leave for couples, and this should be available for same-sex marriages just as it is for other marriages. Furthermore, when employing new talent, all policies should read equally. Rather than referring to ‘husband’ or ‘wife’ when drawing up a plan for an individual, simply put ‘spouse,’ and this will cover their relationship, regardless of sexual orientation.
Elsewhere, you may need to update retirement, insurance, and pension plans. With this in mind, you need a conversation with employees if they want to update their beneficiary for insurance purposes. Even with something simple like contact information, it’s time to implement equality with regards to same-sex marriages in the workplace, and it’s something you can start today.
At this point, we should note that same-sex spouses are protected under the laws on marital status discrimination. Also, it can affect things like health coverage, tax, and other areas of the business. If you’re having trouble understanding same-sex benefit options and how you can update your policies in the right way, feel free to contact a third-party specialist. In case you didn’t know, there are some innovative, forward-thinking, online HR companies like Paycom that can take care of all this for you. Meanwhile, you concentrate on pushing the business forward and keeping employees working efficiently.
