Same-Sex Marriage and how it will impact
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI)


Same-Sex Marriage Passed in Massachusetts

A decision last year by the Massachusetts Supreme Court made it clear that Same-Sex Marriages must be treated in the same manner as opposite-sex marriage for purposes of Massachusetts law and became effective on May 17, 2004 (Goodridge v. Department of Public Health). In turn, these individuals now have the right to be married and be treated in the same manner as it relates to state mandated benefits and employment policies.

Some benefit plans are governed under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) and will not be impacted, such as WHOI's pension plan, while other benefits and employment policies are governed under state law. These state governed benefits and employment policies will now be offered to same-sex married couples and include coverages such as medical, dental, life insurance, Bereavement Leave, Emergency Leave and Family Illness Days.

History of Domestic Partner Insurance Coverage

WHOI instituted same sex domestic partner coverage in 1995 allowing employees to cover their same-sex partners on WHOI's medical, dental and life insurance plans because these individuals did not have the legal opportunity to be married and be afforded these benefits. In 1997, WHOI revisited the Domestic Partner Policy with regard to offering this same type of coverage to opposite sex domestic partners. WHOI decided not to extend benefits to opposite sex couples as opposite sex partners have the legal right to be married and be afforded these benefits. In turn, we kept the original philosophy of only offering these benefits to same-sex domestic partners.

Effective January 1, 2005

As a result of this change in Massachusetts state law allowing Same-Sex Marriages as of May 17, 2004 , WHOI will no longer offer same-sex domestic partner coverage to unmarried Massachusetts residents effective January 1, 2005 . We will offer anyone who may lose coverage because of this change a continuation of benefits through a COBRA-like continuance. If you have any questions regarding this change, please do not hesitate contact your Benefits Representative*.

Benefit Representatives

Elizabeth Walsh, ext. 3743

Linda Snow, ext. 3763

*If you do not know who your Benefits Representative is, please see the HR Staff page, Department Assignments section at; http://www.whoi.edu/services/HR/geninfo/staff.htm.