14 May 2011

US Firm State Farm offers same-sex benefits for staff

 

State Farm Insurance,  that massive US company with over 68,000 employees announced on Friday it will begin offering health care and other benefits to legally recognized same-sex partners of its employees, a response to an Illinois law that will soon let gay and lesbian couples enter into civil unions.


The eligibility changes for the Bloomington-based insurer's group health and welfare plans affect all employees, retirees, agents and agent staff. They would be able to enroll a "legally recognized" same-sex spouse, civil union partner, or domestic partner in benefits for the first time, said State Farm spokesman Phil Supple.

 

He said "legally recognized relationship" is defined as: same-sex marriage, which is allowed in some states; same-sex or opposite-sex civil unions; domestic partnerships; or a substantially similar legal relationship.
State Farm has more than 68,000 employees,

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