The SEBAC V Pension and Health/Dental Insurance Agreement (Spring, 1997) can be found in your NP-2 contract booklet, starting on page 121.

Domestic Partners

On January 31, 2000, Arbitrator Roberta Golick issued her decision awarding health and pension coverage (prospectively) for same gender domestic partners.  In accordance with state statues, the award and cost analysis were submitted to Senate and House Clerk(s) on February 9, 2000 the last possible day allowed by law. This award brought an end to 15 months of negotiation and arbitration, during which the State never made a single proposal on this one issue.  Active and retired (post-April 1, 2000) members have the opportunity to provide health/dental insurance coverage and pension benefits for the same sex partner and eligible dependent children.  Opposite-sex domestic partners and their dependent children are not eligible for coverage. (Note:  CEUI was the only union that voted to include opposite-sex domestic partners as part of the Last Best Offer (LBO) prior to submission to the arbitrator).

The issues (filed by the Union) that were decided were:

The term "spouse" used anywhere in this Agreement shall be deemed to include a covered person’s unmarried domestic partner. An employee wishing to change his/her health or pension status based upon being in a domestic partnership must execute an affidavit with the employer attesting that he or she is:

• Is in a relationship of mutual support, caring, and commitment, and intends to remain in such relationship for the indefinite future.
• Is not married to anyone else.
• Is her/his domestic partner’s sole domestic partner, and visa versa.
• Is not related by blood to the domestic partner closer than would bar marriage in the State of Connecticut
• Is at least 18 years of age and competent to contract.
• Shares a residence with his/her domestic partner.
• Will inform the State promptly if there is any change in the status of the domestic partnership.

In addition, each party shall direct its representative on the Health Care Cost Containment Committee to work with Vendors and the Comptroller’s office in order to implement this provision.

(Note – Kids of spouses covered as though they were married – includes current retirees).

The State never offered a counter proposal, their position was to not provide benefits to domestic partners.

What do I need to do to get coverage for my Domestic Partner?

• To begin enrollment, a Domestic Partnership Affidavit (CO-1049) must be completed, along with supporting documentation.  the affidavit may be accessed on the web by clicking here. 
• Two (2) Tax Implications:  First, federal law does not allow health/dental insurance premiums paid by the member to be treated on a pre-tax basis.  Second, unless the member attests they are providing more than 50% in financial support, the state's share of health/dental insurance is reported as taxable income.
• Pre-Retirement Death Benefits: are now extended to domestic partners, provided a Domestic Partnership Affidavit is accepted and filed with the Retirement Division for at least one (1) year prior to the employee's death.
• Spouse Waiver:  A member who has had a Domestic Partnership Affidavit accepted and filed with the Retirement Division for at least one (1) year prior to retirement will be required to obtain a waiver when electing an income option that does not afford lifetime protection to his/her domestic partner.