Comments on: New federal law protects retirement savings of gay couples

By: Matt

Matt — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 17:42:23 +0000

This is a great step forward, albeit a small one. How about repealing DOMA and applying the spousal consent, QJSA and other rules which currently apply only to married participants to particpants in domestic parterships, civil unions and same-sex marriages?

By: SteveMD2

SteveMD2 — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 07:25:11 +0000

What is also needed is to allow gay couples who cannot be married where they live, and who decide to split up, to split their IRA / 401k accounts without immediate taxation. I was told of one long term couple who could were in this situation. Most of their assets were in one partner’s 401k, and unlike married people, they could not split up the 4011k, as they wanted to do to be fair to each other, without having to pay immediate taxes on the split out amount.

By: Jay

Jay — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 22:41:17 +0000

This is big news. It will make a great deal of difference to ordinary Americans. I am surprised that Bush signed it; perhaps he knew that if he had not signed it, the Democratic Congress would pass it again and President Obama would certainly sign it. It always makes me feel good when advances toward fairness and justice are made.

By: JayC

JayC — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 23:20:23 +0000

This appears to be one more piece of legislation that Bush signed without reading.

By: roger ramjet

roger ramjet — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 21:38:25 +0000

Well well…no comments on this from his majesty? just a swipe of a pen and it is so? Bet this one is driving Windom and the AFA absolutely nuts. Maybe they’ll start a boycott against America.

Of course, Bush left it up to individual companies to decide if they want to honor this law. No penalty if they don’t. If Obama wants to set the bar higher, he could eliminate that ‘touchy-feely-hate-some-more’ part of it.

By: Alexa

Alexa — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 20:55:48 +0000

Thank you Democratic Congress.

By: DeaninMI

DeaninMI — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 20:51:44 +0000

I’m absolutely flabbergasted.

Way to set the bar, George! Let’s hope the next President can find it in his heart to set the bar higher.

I won’t hold my breath, waiting, though.

By: Peter-Nicholas

Peter-Nicholas — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 20:30:40 +0000

Yes Trace, could it be that our outgoing fearless leader has a pang of guilt about the way he and his vile party have treated some of their fellow citizens?

By: Trace

Trace — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 19:44:54 +0000

I posted this about a week ago while 351gay was on holiday.

This is such a huge move towards gay rights and equality.

Who would have thunk that Bush had it in him?