Eligibility Details For Benefits And Leave For Same-Sex Domestic Partners Of Federal Employees

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By MyFederalRetirement
Posted: 07-03-2009


The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) issued a notice to share available information for federal employees regarding same-sex domestic partners' eligibility for benefits and leave.

FLTCIP

OPM stated they are working on regulations to add same-sex domestic partners of federal and U.S. Postal Service employees and annuitants as qualified relatives eligible to apply for coverage under the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP). Until the regulations are effective, same-sex domestic partners cannot apply for coverage under the FLTCIP.

The proposed regulations, acccording to OPM, will be published in the Federal Register this summer, allowing a 30 day public comment period. OPM will review those comments and issue final regulations as soon as possible thereafter.

Leave

OPM also plans to issue proposed regulations in the near future to modify its definitions of "family member" and "immediate relative" for purposes related to the use of sick leave, funeral leave, voluntary leave transfer, voluntary leave bank, and emergency leave transfer.

Specifically, OPM stated they are adding new definitions of "son and daughter", "parent", and "domestic partner". According to OPM, this proposal will help ensure that agencies are administering leave consistently for a diverse workforce and providing the broadest support possible to help employees balance their increasing work, personal, and family obligations.

The proposed regulations on leave will be published in the Federal Register, allowing a 60 day public comment period. OPM will review those comments and issue final regulations as soon as possible thereafter.

FEHB, FEGLI, FEDVIP, FSAFEDS

Same-sex domestic partner coverage cannot be extended under the FEHB, FEGLI, FEDVIP or FSAFEDS programs without legislation. Therefore the Presidential memorandum does not affect those programs.

Posted with permission from: MyFederalRetirement.com