Benefits

Summary and Eligibility for Graduate Assistants

On September 12, 1997, the Michigan State University Board of Trustees added benefit eligibility for MSU recognized same-sex domestic partners of graduate assistants who meet certain criteria.

Eligibility

MSU recognized same-sex domestic partners of MSU graduate assistants who meet the following criteria will be eligible for student health insurance benefits. 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.

Same-sex domestic partners' children will be eligible to enroll in the MSU Student Health Insurance Plan if they:

1. are qualified and claimed as an IRS-defined dependent by the same-sex domestic partner,
2. are members of the household or a full-time student, and
3. are unmarried and under the age of 19 (age 23 if a full-time student).

MSU recognized domestic partners of graduate assistants and their eligible dependents will be able to enroll in the MSU Student Health Insurance Plan by providing the following documentation to MSU Human Resources Benefits:

• Declaration of Domestic Partnership
• Domestic Partnership Agreement
• Completed MSU Student Health Insurance Plan enrollment card
• Payment of appropriate premium

Termination of MSU recognized same-sex domestic partnership:

Graduate Assistants: If the MSU recognized same-sex domestic partnership is terminated, the Graduate Assistant must complete an Affidavit of Termination of Domestic Partnership form and submit it to MSU Human Resources Benefits.

Click here for Enrollment Deadlines.