Benefits

MSU Recognized Same-Sex Domestic Partners

On September 12, 1997, the Michigan State University Board of Trustees added benefit eligibility for same-sex domestic partners of faculty, retirees, applicable staff and graduate assistants who meet certain criteria. They:

1. are same-sex and for this reason are unable to marry each other under Michigan law,
2. are in a long-term committed relationship, have been in the relationship for at least 6 months, and intend to remain together indefinitely,
3. are not legally married to others and neither has another domestic partner,
4. are at least 18 years of age and have the capacity to enter into a contract,
5. are not related to one another closely enough to bar marriage in Michigan,
6. share a residence and have done so for more than 6 months,
7. are jointly responsible to each other for the necessities of life, and
8. provide a signed "partnership agreement" that obligates each of the parties to provide support for one another and provides for substantially equal division, upon termination of the relationship, of earnings during the relationship and any property acquired with those earnings.