Benefits Giant Backs Domestic Partner Bill

The Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association-College Retirement Equities Fund is trying to throw its weight behind a domestic partner health benefits bill.

TIAA-CREF, New York, is supporting H.R. 1820, a bill introduced by Rep. James McDermott, D-Wash., and a companion bill, S. 1556, which was introduced by Sen. Gordon Smith, R-Ore.

Both bills would permit employers and voluntary employees’ beneficiary associations to exclude the value of domestic partner health coverage from employees’ taxable income.