The High Price of Marriage Inequality

Stotok THE HIGH PRICE OF MARRIAGE INEQUALITY For the first time in history, polls indicate that more Americans support same- sex marriage than oppose it, yet only 8 US states have completely legalized marriage equality. This presents a whole host of challenges to same-sex couples, but one of the most difficult blows is aimed straight at the wallet. OBTAINING SAME-SEX MARITAL STATUS IS COSTLY: US marriage license for a heterosexual couple ranges from $10 to $100. For a same-sex couple to obtain the equivalent of marital status: The price can grow as high as $10,000 Wills Power of Other legal More than the average attorney documents married couple spends on food annually. AND THE COSTS KEEP GROWING: Of US companies offering employee benefits: 1 in 5 extend them to same-sex partners. Yes! No. No.: No. No. If both receive coverage: Premiums for nondependent partnerships reach about $29,000. $ $$ Twice what an average hetero couple with 2 kids pays. In a heterosexual marriage, the working spouse may claim an unemployed spouse as dependent, which will save them money on taxes. Same-sex couples can't legally claim one another on federal documents, so neither can be dependent. If only one partner receives insurance coverage: The 2nd partner can purchase insurance privately for about $200,000. 37 times what a hetero couple would spend annually. SAME-SEX COUPLES MISS OUT ON SOCIAL SECURITY PERKS: Same-sex couples are exempt from heterosexual social security benefits like: Spousal benefits: Survivor benefits: One spouse receives 50% of the other's benefits if higher If a spouse dies, the living spouse can get their de- ceased spouse's benefits. than their own. Same-sex couples are even excluded from a simple death benefit of $255. AND EVEN THEIR TAXES ARE HIGHER: Married heterosexuals can transfer unlimited assets to each other without estate taxes. Assets include money, property, investments: Essentially anything Same-sex married worth money. couples cannot. Hetero couples file a single tax form; Same-sex couples must file two. In tax preparation fees alone: This adds to about an additional $270 each year In an analysis of the lifetime cost of a same-sex marriage: Best case scenario Worst case scenario A same-sex couple's marriage A same-sex couple's marriage costs $41,196 more than a costs an extra $467,562. hetero couple. UNTIL SAME-SEX MARRIAGE IS LEGALIZED: THE PRICE TAG ON A LIFE TOGETHER IS GOING TO BE MUCH HIGHER FOR SOME THAN OTHERS. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/03/your-money/o3money.html?_r=2&pagewanted-all http://marylandreporter.com/2011/02/24/same-sex-marriage-bill-moves-closer-to-passing-senate/ http://bucks.blogs.nytimes.com/category/the-cost-of-being-gay/ http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/health/2009-09-15-insurance-costs_N.htm i INSURANCE QUOTES This work is under a Creative Commons license. %24