Bush Signs Law Protecting Retirement Benefits For Gay Couples

Think Progress:

Yesterday, Bush signed into law the Worker, Retiree and Employer Recovery Act of 2008 (WRERA), requiring employers to allow employees to roll their retirement plans over to nonspouse partners. The Human Rights Campaign hailed the bill for allowing gay couples to share benefits.

Read the whole story: Think Progress

Comments

[karela]

Thanks!

[jimdog1954]

He probably thought he was signing a pardon for Larry Craig.

[harriettubman]

LOL...

[Name Not In Use]

I wonder it that will apply to military retirement benefits.

Oh, wait, if you are gay the military will terminate you without any benefits.

Is this still correct?

[harriettubman]

Yep. I know a gay person who recently got out of the military under "Don't ask, Don't tell". Some people want to get out of the military and use that as a reason too. Just like people claim to be psychotic to get out of the military too. One of my friends worked in psych and he told some hilarious stories.

There have been gay admirals and generals who completed their time and retired from the military but didn't tell their stories until they honorably retired with their benefits.

[RainbowPhoenix]

I'm pretty sure they can only do that while you're on active duty or in reserve. Once you retire they can't do anything to you. I could be wrong about all that though.

[Artemis34]

Does anyone know how this impacts IRA vs. 401(k)?

[wdw505]

it does nothing to 401k......­.but you should already have a beneficiary on both......­.problem solved

[SamirLuther]

Qualifying plans include:
"defined benefit plans (pensions) that pay benefits in the form of a lump sum, 401(k) plans, employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs), profit-sharing plans and money purchase plans, as well as 403(b) plans and governmental 457(b) plans"

Plans are not required to come into compliance until Jan 1, 2010, but employers are able to make the change easily.

See http://www.hrc.org/issues/8606.htm for more info

[Artemis34]

Avoiding taxes, something the GOP can always get behind!

This benefits "any nonspouse beneficiary" so I'm sure they see it as first benefiting them, their brothers, sisters, grandchildren, etc.

I'm sure same-sex partner beneficiaries were an unintended consequence or after-thought on the part of the GOP.

I'll take it any way I can get it.

[atlantajoe]

What about Charles Rangel EVADING taxes. His the top Democrat tax writer and he evaded income tax on his rental properties then says " I did not know I had to pay income tax on rental properties". And that explaination is good enough for Pelosi and Reid.

[JackNasty]

It isn't equal protection under the law. But at least it's not a kick in the pants. So, for the first time, I will say sincerely, "Thank you President Bush."

[research]

Maybe Rove and Bush are closer than we thought.

[weatherwaxx]

LOL!

Not that close... ol' Gannon/Guckert is probably in between 'em.

[scjk67]

my guess that Cheney's daughter had a iron skillet next to king Bush's head to sign this. :-)

[atlantajoe]

You mean the daughter that John Edwards threw under the bus.

[ThePhilosopher]

Wow, I never thought I'd write this but... thanks President Bush.

[bluguy8]

What ? did I read this wrong? he did the right thing for once in 8 years--wow

[LiberalDemIda]

Smackdown fundies! Thank you for this president Bush.

[Bitsko]

Gee, this guy did something good for once?

[JeepRover]

Did Hell freeze over? Did I miss something? Dang it, HuffPo...y­ou gotta report on things like Hell freezing over.

[helonias]

Good

[Skepticat]

Guy did something right - gotta make nice.