Employees and retirees covered by the Employee Retirement System of Texas (ERS) are now eligible to enroll their same-sex spouses and their dependent children. According to the ERS website, the same coverages and services at the same costs as opposite-sex spouses are available to those in the Texas Group Benefits Program. Participants who are not enrolled in Medicare may add a spouse and/or dependent stepchildren during the Summer Enrollment period that is currently underway and ends on July 31, with coverage beginning September 1. Medicare-eligible retirees who want to add a same-sex spouse now can contact ERS for details or wait until the fall Medicare enrollment period.
At the Texas A&M System, executives were told to be in compliance with the U.S. Supreme Court ruling with the pay period that began Wednesday. Like the ERS, system universities and agencies are enrolling employees same sex spouses. And all requests for for spousal benefits will require documentation that is consistent with current requirements for opposite sex spouses.
Below is the text of the memo that was sent from System Benefits Administration at The Texas A&M University System:
CEO’s, CFO’s, and HRO’s:
In light of the recent decision by the United States Supreme Court in the case of Obergefell vs. Hodges, effective with the next pay period the A&M System will begin the enrollment of employees’ same sex spouses. All requests for spousal benefits will require documentation, consistent with current requirements for opposite sex spouses. System Benefits Administration will be in contact with your HR and Benefits staff. Please communicate this information with your institution’s staff and retirees as appropriate.
Screen shots below are from the ERS website:
