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.