Employees' Retirement Fund of the City of Dallas Takes First Steps to Grant Equal Survivor Benefits to Same Sex Couples

DALLAS, Oct. 14, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Trustees of the Employees' Retirement Fund of the City of Dallas voted today to take the first step to providing equal pension survivor benefits to LGBT married employees.  The fund's board voted to ask the Dallas City Council to approve language that would amend Chapter 40A of the Dallas City Code to allow the change. Once the Dallas City Council acts the issue would be placed on the next city election ballot.

"This is the first and an important step in providing equality for LGBT married employees who are members of the pension plan," said Chair Carla Brewer. "This is the right thing to do and this three step process is the correct way to implement this important change in accordance with the laws that govern our pension plan."

"Our board carefully considered the best way to address this timely issue, and to assure that this was not simply a symbolic gesture that could be subject to a court challenge," said Brewer.

The Dallas City Council recently passed Resolution 140477 on March 5, 2014, that said the city is in "full favor of equal rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees of the city, and directed that action be taken as necessary to address the disparate treatment, if any, of the LGBT employees..."

"We support the city position and look forward to the day that all married survivors of those who have earned benefits through their work for the city will be able to share in those benefits," said Brewer. "We look forward to working with the city council to move this project forward in a timely manner. We hope the issue appears on the upcoming May 2015 ballot for voter approval where citizens will have the opportunity to provide equality for all employees of the City of Dallas."

SOURCE Employees’ Retirement Fund of the City of Dallas