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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009
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 ANALYSIS 
19

Over a Lifetime, Being a Gay Couple Can Cost $470K Extra

Detailed analysis takes health insurance, taxes, other benefits into account

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(Newser) – An exhaustive analysis of the lifetime costs a committed gay couple faces compared to those of a heterosexual marriage finds that, in the worst case, the gay couple pays out nearly $470,000 extra. The study by the New York Times assumed the couples were together until one partner died, were college-educated and raised children. Some variables:

  • Health insurance: Nearly half—$212,000—of the worst-case price tag comes here, in that one partner isn’t covered by the other’s insurance, and had to buy coverage.
  • Estate taxes: Where heterosexual married couples can transfer assets without paying these taxes, same-sex couples, even married ones, get stuck with hefty bills.
  • Childbearing: Beside the costs of insemination, adoption or surrogacy, many gay couples choose to move to a state that allows the second partner to adopt the child.
  • Income tax: One area where gay couples benefit, because of the so-called marriage penalty. In the analysis’ worst case, the gay couple paid $15,000 less in taxes; in the best case, $112,000.

Star Trek legend George Takei with husband Brad Altman.
Star Trek legend George Takei with husband Brad Altman.   (AP Photo)
A gay California couple holds their son.
A gay California couple holds their son.   (AP Photo)
San Francisco's Castro District.
San Francisco's Castro District.   (AP Photo)
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19 comments
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yoeydude
Oct 3, 09 6:05 AM CDT
naw , I dont see any discrimination ,... nope nuthin to see here .......... man when will reason and logic gain a fuking foothold in this land ? Reply
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+4
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BlahBlahBlah
Oct 3, 09 11:30 AM CDT
Logic and reason are too much work. It takes far less brain power to hate. Sad but painfully true.
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+7
WallyEFunk
Oct 3, 09 7:27 AM CDT
The "so-called marriage penalty" I found to be true in Canada. The government has fiddled with taxes to a point where you're penalized for being married. After a year you're forced to claim common-in-law marriage. Making wanting to get married a bad finical move. Why do they seem to want to penalize a family unit, the building block of society ?. Reply
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+1
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Toon
Oct 3, 09 8:58 PM CDT
These 'marriage-penalty' tax codes are from a time when few people lived together without marrying and divorce was rarer than widowhood. They were meant to help those who had lost spouses.
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Horseman44
Oct 3, 09 8:25 AM CDT
This comment has been removed by Newser’s community. You must be logged in to view this comment. Reply
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-7
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