Benefits Giant Backs Domestic Partner Bill

The Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association-College Retirement Equities Fund is trying to throw its weight behind a domestic partner health benefits bill.

TIAA-CREF, New York, is supporting H.R. 1820, a bill introduced by Rep. James McDermott, D-Wash., and a companion bill, S. 1556, which was introduced by Sen. Gordon Smith, R-Ore.

Both bills would permit employers and voluntary employees’ beneficiary associations to exclude the value of domestic partner health coverage from employees’ taxable income.

The bills also would permit employers and VEBAs the exclude the value of domestic partner health benefits from wages for purposes of payroll tax obligations.

The New York City Council and the New York State Bar Association, Albany, N.Y., also has endorsed the bills.