Healthcare, Retirement Benefits Now Available to Same-Sex Spouses Of Postal, Federal Workers

As a result of the Supreme Court’s recent decision that Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act is unconstitutional, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has announced guidelines for the extension of employee benefits to federal and postal workers and annuitants who have legally married a spouse of the same sex.

A special open season will be held for eligible employees to enroll in federal health and life insurance programs, OPM announced in a June 28 memorandum to government agency officials. Employees and annuitants will have 60 days, between June 26 and August 26, 2013, to make immediate changes to their enrollments in the following programs:

Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB)
Federal Employees Group Life Insurance (FEGLI)
Dental and Vision Insurance (FEDVIP)
Long-Term Care Insurance (FLTCIP)

OPM’s announcement also includes guidelines for how legally married same sex spouses can apply for federal retirement benefits and flexible savings accounts.