Boeing agrees to offer pension survivor benefits to same-sex couples

Over five months after the state approved same-sex marriage, Boeing has decided to extend its pension and retirement survivor benefits to gay spouses and domestic partners, Washington Congressman Adam Smith announced Tuesday afternoon.

The company had come under fire for refusing to grant the benefits even after the passage R-74, at first telling negotiators for its engineering union it didn’t have to cover the benefits because pensions are covered by federal, not state law.

But the company did an about face during talks with SPEEA in January and has now extended the benefits company-wide.

“I commend Boeing for providing equal pension survivor benefits for same-sex spouses and domestic partners,” said Smith. “LGBT workers are a critical part of a skilled labor force and equal treatment of their employees has led to Boeing’s success and global leadership in aerospace, science, and technology. It is unacceptable to deny any person equal pay or benefits because of who they love. I will continue to work to make sure that all LGBT people and their families are treated fairly and have equal access to success.”