I don’t think that it is accurate that the insurance rate (the cost) is any higher for the company than any other spouse’s insurance. I know of no insurance company that does not treat spouses as spouses regardless of whether gay or straight.

But you are correct that they are taxed differently.

If Joe’s wife’s health insurance is covered by his employer, it’s just a benefit.

But if Gary’s husband’s health insurance is covered by Gary’s employer, then the cost of the insurance is Federal taxable income paid to Gary.

now i have a question. I’ve heard that b/c of DOMA/lack of federal recognition of gay marriage, that the benefits awarded to gay couples are taxed differently.

a friend told me that her company in PA did make the switch to allow their gay employees’s partners to be covered.

2 problems:
1. the benefits cost more b/c they were not federally recognized as married. her company covered the additional costs, but they were then eligible to be taxed as income.
2. she owed 2,000 in taxes at the end of the year on these benefits. a very bad surprise.

is this always the case?

can someone concisely explain how benefits are or are not equal for married gay couples?