Same-Sex Domestic Partner Benefits
Emory offers a range of benefits to Same-Sex Domestic Partners (SSDP) of employees.
Eligibility
All employees who have a signed Statement of Same-Sex Domestic Partnership which certifies that the partnership meets the university's requirements are eligible. This form must be signed by the employee and the partner with a notary signature.
How to Enroll
The employee and same-sex partner must sign a Statement of Same-Sex Domestic Partnership which certifies the partnership meets the university's requirements and submit it to the Benefits Department. You must also provide documentation of commitment. Examples are a mortgage, utility bills or credit cards with both names on the bill.
If you enroll your same-sex domestic partner and/or your partner's child(ren) for benefits at the time of certifying your partnership, you enroll online through Employee Self Service.
How to Make Changes
To terminate a Same-Sex Domestic Partnership, fill out a Same-Sex Domestic Partnership Termination and return the original to the Benefits Department. Another Statement of Domestic Partnership can be filed with no wait but you must meet the eligibility.
*If a termination is filed, please provide new address of terminated SSDP for mailing of notices.
With a qualified Family Status Change, you may enroll or make changes within 31 days through Employee Self Service.
Benefits for Same-Sex Domestic Partners
Health Care
- Health and Dental Benefits are available after tax to same-sex domestic partners of Emory University employees who are benefits eligible under the provisions of the plan. Benefits for the employee may be paid on a before tax basis. However, should the employee decide to pay their premiums on a before tax basis, section 125 of the U.S. Tax Code does not permit mid-year election changes to be made on account of a family status change experienced by a same sex domestic partner or affecting a same sex domestic partner unless they are claimed as a dependent under the tax code.
For example: employee pays health premiums pre-tax. SSDP is not covered at Emory under the employee’s plan. The SSDP then loses coverage under their employer’s plan. The SSDP may be added to the employee’s plan but on an after tax basis per the section 125 of the U.S.Tax Code. The coverage remains after-tax and are taxed per pay cycle on the coverage.
Flexible Spending Accounts
- Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts are available for employees and their eligible dependents as defined by the tax code. Currently, this is not applicable to same-sex domestic partners unless they are being claimed as a dependent on the employee’s individual tax return.
Life and Personal Accident Insurance Long Term Care Insurance
- Long Term Care Insurance is available to employees and their same-sex domestic partners. Family members, including same-sex domestic partners, are required to go through medical underwriting before coverage can be approved.
Prepaid Legal Services Courtesy Scholarship
- The Courtesy Scholarship for undergraduate coursework is available to same-sex domestic partners of employees, but is taxable up to the value of the benefit.
Plan Forms
Emory University Benefits
Hours of Operation:
Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
1599 Clifton Road, NE
Atlanta, GA 30322
(404) 727-7613
Disclaimer
Emory reserves the right to terminate, suspend, withdraw, amend or modify the Plan in whole or in part at any time. Further, Emory reserves the right to terminate or modify coverage for any group of employees, active or retired and their dependents or a class of dependents at any time. | 
