Personal Finance Changes For Gay Married Couples
You Should Know: Personal Finance Changes For Gay Married Couples
Many are giddy over the Supreme Court striking down the Defense of Marriage Act, because it means the marriages of same-sex couples will be legally recognized by the federal government. A huge advancement for the LGBT movement, this move will grant some really great personal finance benefits for the wedded couples. Here are some changes to be aware of.
On inheritance
- Now that same-sex marriages are recognized federally, spouses will not have to pay estate taxes when they inherit from their partners.
On taxes
- Same-sex married couples will file joint tax returns or married filing separately.
- LGBT parents will be able to get the child care tax benefits now that they will have legal ties to their married partner's children.
On Social Security
- Spouses can collect Social Security checks of their deceased partners if they are receiving less in their own Social Security checks.
- Spouses can receive up to half of a living partner's Social Security check if it is more than his or her own.
Read on for more.
On retirement
- Pensions can go to surviving gay spouses.
- IRAs won't be taxed when rolled over to the gay spouses of their deceased partners.
On health insurance
- Insurance through gay spouses is now a tax-free benefit.
- Married partners of federal employees are eligible for health insurance coverage.
- Continuation of COBRA coverage is available for same-sex spouses. COBRA is basically a temporary continued health insurance coverage after an employee is laid off.
- Gay spouses will be able to share the health insurance benefits of the veterans they are married to.
- There will be more Medicare benefits for same-sex married couples.