State employee benefits extended for same-sex spouses beginning July 1

Austin Community College employees and retirees eligible for benefits through the Texas Employees Group Benefits Program (GBP) can enroll their same-sex spouses and dependent children of those spouses in coverage beginning July 1.

Details about benefits coverage and enrollment dates is on the Employees Retirement System of Texas (ERS) Employee News webpage. ERS administers benefits for the college. A few details:

  • For same-sex marriages occurring previously in other states, the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision legalizing those marriages in Texas is considered a Qualifying Life Event (QLE). The QLE enrollment period is June 26 – July 25. Read more about Qualifying Life Events.
  • For marriages occurring on and after June 26, employees must enroll eligible spouses or dependents within 30 days of the event (the standard QLE period), or June 26 – July 25. Coverage added through the QLE process is effective the first day of the month following the date of the QLE, or in this instance, July 1.
  • For marriages occurring during ACC’s upcoming annual benefits enrollment period (July 10 – July 24), employees should follow the QLE process to enroll spouses or dependents.
  • Medicare-eligible retirees can add a spouse to coverage during the fall Medicare enrollment period or during the QLE enrollment period. Retirees who are not enrolled in Medicare may add a spouse and/or dependent during summer enrollment.

More information about ACC’s annual benefits enrollment will be available in the coming weeks. The college will host its annual enrollment fair and presentation on Friday, July 24, from 9 a.m. to noon in Highland Business Center Room 201. Employees can talk with vendors and ask questions about various benefit plans.

Employees also can access benefit information and change their plan enrollment by going to the ERS website. For questions, contact ERS at 877-275-4377, or ACC’s benefits staff at [email protected].

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