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Same-Sex Marriage Must Be Recognized by New Jersey Employers

New Jersey began to recognize same-sex marriages in October 2013 based on a unanimous decision by the New Jersey Supreme Court. Marriage can have major financial implications — largely for the better — for the couple and their dependents. Just a look at how it affects employee benefits helps illustrate this point.

Employers who provide health insurance to employees, for example, previously had the option of not recognizing civil unions on matters of employee benefits. Also, if health insurance benefits were extended to same-sex partners in civil unions, it came with an added price tag: federal and state governments regarded it as extra income, requiring either the employer or the recipient couple (often both) to pay taxes on that benefit.

Interestingly, the U.S. Department of Labor has ruled that the state in which a same-sex couple works or resides really isn’t relevant anyway, following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision supporting the constitutionality of gay marriage in June 2013. What matters is whether the couple is legally married in any one of the jurisdictions that allow same-sex marriages, which now include New Jersey. This means the following:

  • Same-sex married couples who live and work in New Jersey are eligible for all employee benefits that opposite-sex married couples have enjoyed for years.
  • Same-sex married couples who were married in another state — either before or after the New Jersey law took effect — are entitled to the same employee benefits.
  • Same-sex couples married in New Jersey or another jurisdiction that allows gay marriage are to be treated the same as opposite-sex couples, regardless of where they live or work. This is a key federal provision that effectively extends rights and benefits to couples living in Pennsylvania, for example, where gay marriage is currently banned.

There are other employee benefits, such as inheritance transfers of retirement funds, that now are protected from federal and state taxation. Speak with an attorney if your employer is denying you these benefits.

 

 

Neil  H.  Deutsch Attorney Photo
Neil H. Deutsch
Retired

Neil H. Deutsch has been practicing law for over 35 years and is known as a skilled negotiator in employment and discrimination law. He believes in a bottom-line approach of risk analysis and cost effectiveness for his clients. "Case evaluation is something we take seriously," says Mr. Deutsch who seeks top net dollar for his…

Bruce  L.  Atkins Attorney Photo
Bruce L. Atkins
Senior Partner

Bruce L. Atkins is the Senior Managing Partner at Deutsch Atkins & Kleinfeldt P.C., a prominent plaintiff employment law firm in the tri-state area. Mr. Atkins believes employees’ rights should be aggressively pursued when they’ve been wrongfully dealt with by their employers. He brings this philosophy to his practice when considering each case and its…

Adam  J.  Kleinfeldt Attorney Photo
Adam J. Kleinfeldt
Partner

Adam J. Kleinfeldt joined Deutsch Atkins & Kleinfeldt, P.C. in March of 2015.  He primarily represents individuals in employment litigation such as discrimination, retaliation and whistle blowing matters. He has extensive experience in all phases of the litigation process. Adam has obtained significant results for his clients, including a $525,000 jury verdict in a sexual…

Debra M. McGarvey Attorney Photo
Debra M. McGarvey
Partner

Debra M. McGarvey joined Deutsch Atkins & Kleinfeldt, P.C. in December 2019. She has extensive experience defending employees and employers in state and federal court in employment litigation matters. She has represented clients on various issues arising out of the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (NJLAD), the New Jersey Conscientious Employee Protection Act (CEPA), the…

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Carly Skarbnik Meredith
Partner

Carly Skarbnik Meredith, Esq. is a Partner at the firm. Carly has focused her career exclusively in the field of employment law. She has a plethora of experience representing both employees and employers with their employment issues, needs, and concerns. She believes representing both employees and employers has made her an extremely well-rounded client advocate.…

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