Sign Up for email alerts

  • E-mail

Introduction

The HRC Equality Circle was established to recognize individuals who have created gifts to the Human Rights Campaign or the Human Rights Campaign Foundation through tax-wise planned giving. By making a gift in this way, members demonstrate their long-term commitment to the mission of the Human Rights Campaign and the Human Rights Campaign Foundation.

*New Publication* Life and Estate Planning for LGBT Americans

All of us need to think about our future expectations and consider what we would want should death or disability interrupt or stand in the way of our expectations.  Life and estate planning are ways of thinking seriously about the future and making smart choices that meet our needs. You do not need to have a large income or to amass great personal wealth; if you care about your partner, or are concerned about where your hard-earned savings may someday flow, then you should understand some of the basic principles of planning.  Read PDF.

*New* Online Referral Service for Local Professionals

Visit our listings of Estate Planning Professionals in your area.

New Law Protects Retirement Savings for Lesbian and Gay Couples

President Bush has signed law ensuring that partners who inherit 401(k) savings can protect them from unfair tax penalties.  Read more.

Legal Documents to Protect Your Family

When it comes to life and estate planning, gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Americans face a greater challenge.  By failing to make informed choices, the legal system instead will choose for us.  Learn more about protecting yourself and your loved ones.

Domestic Partner Benefits: Pension Survivor Annuities

When a participant is married, the employee retirement income security act (ERISA) mandates that the default benefit distribution form be a QJSA/QPSA.  In part because of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which provides a federal definition of "spouse" that is limied to a person of the opposte sex, plans are not required to provide a QJSA or QPSA to a participant with a same-sex domestic partner or spouse.  Consequently, same-sex couples are often denied a valuable death benefit otherwise available to their opposite-sex married counterparts.  Learn more about pension survivor annuities as they relate to domestic partnerships.