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.
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