The Money Side Of Things For Gay Couples
Gay couples pay more money. That is more than just a simple statement. Over the average lifetime of a gay couple, they will spend more money than any heterosexual couple. There are all kinds of arguments that can be made by anti-gay groups and individuals, but the truth of the matter is that gay couples pay into all of the systems nearly twice as much as heterosexual couples do.
Gay couples pay more money. That is more than just a simple statement. Over the average lifetime of a gay couple, they will spend more money than any heterosexual couple. There are all kinds of arguments that can be made by anti-gay groups and individuals, but the truth of the matter is that gay couples pay into all of the systems nearly twice as much as heterosexual couples do.
The most obvious cost is taxes. Until the federal government legalizes sex-sex marriage, the taxes that a gay couple pays out will always be higher than those of a heterosexual couple. The exact amount will differ depending on what state that they reside in. Of course, since they can't file as a married couple they can't provide the same tax credits to their families. When it comes to how they file, how they claim children as dependents, and how they can file for their deductions, many gay couples end up paying at least three quarters more per household.
Of course, while there are many companies that are stepping up and offering health insurance to employees with same sex partners, the health insurance crisis within the gay community can be significantly higher than that of the straight community. The considered income of the additional partner's health insurance is taxed, whereas heterosexual health insurance coverage is not. A single family's income can be significantly impacted by the ill health of one partner, yet reimbursement and deductions are often not permitted when the healthy partner becomes financially involved. It creates quite a tax mess.
Couples within the community have to spend more money in legal fees. If they want to ensure that their property is divided fairly or that their partner has sole custody of their child, gay couples have to seek legal services. To make sure that these documents are iron-clad, that means paying for legal services that are protected under marriage for straight couples.
If a couple wants children they can expect some very high expenses. Men can anticipate adoption fees that can creep into the hundreds of thousands while women can expect to find about seventy five thousand extra dollars in order conceive a child. There are plenty of anti-gay family arguments that have been interjected and debated over this point, but that's beside the point. A family is possible but only for those who can afford the initial step.
Later in life, domestic partners cannot collect any death benefits from Social Security. When it comes to pensions, it is up to the deceased partner's company to decide if they will pay anything to the surviving partner.
Non-biological children in states that do not permit second parent adoptions often have legal difficulties when it comes to medical decisions, claims for reimbursement, and even burial rights. Non-biological parents without the afforded second parent adoption often can not make immediate medical decisions for their child yet are often handed the medical bill without the expectation of reimbursement.
Yes, there are many ways that we can be told to live differently if we don't like it. We all know the answer to that. However, when it comes down to everything from opposition to same sex benefits to opposition to same sex marriages, it's not a bad idea to put it in black and white how gay couples pay more for living than het couples do.
Gay couples pay more money. That is more than just a simple statement. Over the average lifetime of a gay couple, they will spend more money than any heterosexual couple. There are all kinds of arguments that can be made by anti-gay groups and individuals, but the truth of the matter is that gay couples pay into all of the systems nearly twice as much as heterosexual couples do.
The most obvious cost is taxes. Until the federal government legalizes sex-sex marriage, the taxes that a gay couple pays out will always be higher than those of a heterosexual couple. The exact amount will differ depending on what state that they reside in. Of course, since they can't file as a married couple they can't provide the same tax credits to their families. When it comes to how they file, how they claim children as dependents, and how they can file for their deductions, many gay couples end up paying at least three quarters more per household.
Of course, while there are many companies that are stepping up and offering health insurance to employees with same sex partners, the health insurance crisis within the gay community can be significantly higher than that of the straight community. The considered income of the additional partner's health insurance is taxed, whereas heterosexual health insurance coverage is not. A single family's income can be significantly impacted by the ill health of one partner, yet reimbursement and deductions are often not permitted when the healthy partner becomes financially involved. It creates quite a tax mess.
Couples within the community have to spend more money in legal fees. If they want to ensure that their property is divided fairly or that their partner has sole custody of their child, gay couples have to seek legal services. To make sure that these documents are iron-clad, that means paying for legal services that are protected under marriage for straight couples.
If a couple wants children they can expect some very high expenses. Men can anticipate adoption fees that can creep into the hundreds of thousands while women can expect to find about seventy five thousand extra dollars in order conceive a child. There are plenty of anti-gay family arguments that have been interjected and debated over this point, but that's beside the point. A family is possible but only for those who can afford the initial step.
Later in life, domestic partners cannot collect any death benefits from Social Security. When it comes to pensions, it is up to the deceased partner's company to decide if they will pay anything to the surviving partner.
Non-biological children in states that do not permit second parent adoptions often have legal difficulties when it comes to medical decisions, claims for reimbursement, and even burial rights. Non-biological parents without the afforded second parent adoption often can not make immediate medical decisions for their child yet are often handed the medical bill without the expectation of reimbursement.
Yes, there are many ways that we can be told to live differently if we don't like it. We all know the answer to that. However, when it comes down to everything from opposition to same sex benefits to opposition to same sex marriages, it's not a bad idea to put it in black and white how gay couples pay more for living than het couples do.
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Thoughts about differences for gay couples brought to you by gay travel author Howie Holben. He and Spirit Journeys offer gay romantic vacations for gay couples.