The University System of Georgia will now offer married same-sex couples tax benefits equal to heterosexual couples through a retirement plan. The State Board of Regents approved and announced the change late Monday, and officials are saying it will not affect the university system’s finances.
Previously, a university system employee who chose the Optional Retirement Plan could list anyone as a beneficiary, but a same-sex spouse would pay a higher tax rate than a spouse recognized under Georgia law. Now, the definition of “spouse” and “surviving spouse” has been amended to include legally married same-sex couples.
Reportedly, system officials have said the change was prompted by IRS guidance after last June’s U.S. Supreme Court decision to strike down a major portion of the Defense of Marriage Act which defined marriage as between a man and a woman.
However, since Georgia doesn’t recognize same-sex marriage, spouses will not be eligible for any other benefits. A federal class action lawsuit has been filed challenging the state’s 2004 same-sex marriage ban and the GA Voice will update you with any developments.
The University System of Georgia includes 31 public colleges and universities, including the University of Georgia, Georgia Tech and Georgia State University. The GA Voice is reaching out to several university system schools for comment on the benefits change and will update the story as it progresses.