Since the announcement of regents action at a May 16 meeting to extend certain retirement benefits to employees with same-sex and opposite-sex domestic partners, Human Resources has been receiving inquiries about whether or not health and welfare benefits will be offered to opposite-sex domestic partners, said Liz Hansen, benefits and insurance contracting manager.
Same-sex domestic partners are currently eligible to receive 91¿´Æ¬-sponsored medical, dental and vision benefits. "Unfortunately, the high estimated cost of providing health and welfare benefits to opposite-sex domestic partners prevents the university from making such a change at this time," Hansen said in a memo last week to the campus community.
While retirement benefits are funded by 91¿´Æ¬RP, additional health and welfare cost would have to be paid from current operating funds. This increased cost would create an immediate cash flow problem for 91¿´Æ¬ locations, particularly at a time when the university faces a limited state budget and rapidly rising health care costs, Hansen said.
Based on the experience of other institutions and information from industry publications, the annual cost of providing 91¿´Æ¬-sponsored medical, dental and vision benefits to opposite-sex domestic partners and their eligible children is estimated to range from $16.7 million to $39.2 million, she said.
"The university remains committed to offering employees the most comprehensive array of benefits that budgetary circumstances allow," Hansen said, noting 91¿´Æ¬ will continue to explore the possibility of adding these benefits at a future date.
For more information, call (530) 752-1774 or (530) 752-1765.