Are civil unions recognized on Social Security benefits?
Civil Unions are legal relationships recognized by the state of California, and the laws governing them are enforced by the California judicial system. Although a civil union is not the same as a marriage, California recognizes civil unions in the same way it recognizes marriages, with all the same legal rights and obligations. When it comes to Social Security benefits, civil unions are not specifically recognized. In order to receive Social Security benefits, both parties must be married; however, some exceptions may apply. According to the Social Security Administration, a civil union may qualify as a marriage for Social Security purposes if it is a legally valid relationship in the state or country where it was created. This means that if a couple entered into a civil union in California, then the Social Security Administration may recognize it. Additionally, couples who are in a civil union in California may also qualify for Social Security benefits if one spouse is eligible for Social Security benefits based on their own work record. For example, if one spouse has enough Social Security credits and is eligible to receive Social Security retirement benefits, then the couple may also receive spousal benefits if they are in a civil union. In this case, Social Security benefits would be determined in the same way they would be for a married couple. In summary, civil unions are legally recognized by the state of California, and although they are not specifically recognized on Social Security benefits, some exceptions may apply depending on the circumstances.
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