Why civil unions are not enough
Publication Type: Fact Sheet
Date: May 18, 2005
The federal government alone accords 1,138 benefits and responsibilities based on marital status, not on civil union status.
Here are just a few of those benefits:
- Unpaid leave in order to care for an ill spouse under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act;
- Social Security — survivor benefits; spousal benefits;
- Unlimited exemptions from federal gift and estate taxes on transfers to spouse;
- Marital communication privilege — right not to testify against one’s spouse.
