Members of the Full-time Faculty Association are eligible for the benefits outlined in this overview.

The Full-Time Faculty Association Collective Bargaining Agreement may contain information on benefits not referenced in this guide.

Dependent Eligibility:

• Your spouse or domestic partner*;
• Your and/or your spouse/domestic partner’s children until age 26, including stepchildren, and adopted children, even if they are married or have access to coverage through their own employer; and
• Your unmarried, dependent child(ren) of any age who are physically or mentally incapable of self-support as determined by the medical and dental carriers. You must submit proof of disability to the insurance carrier within 31 days of their 26th birthday to qualify for continued coverage.

Contact benefits@risd.edu for more information.

*BlueCross BlueShield of Rhode Island requires verification of domestic partnerships. More information on the verification requirements can be found here.

Taxation of Domestic Partner Benefits

Under federal tax law, insurance coverage for a domestic partner who does not qualify as a tax dependent is generally treated as a taxable benefit. Taxes apply to both the employee- and employer-paid portions of the benefits as follows:

• After-Tax Premiums: The employee-paid portion of the insurance premium attributable to domestic partner coverage is deducted from pay on an after-tax basis, rather than pre-tax.
• Imputed Income: The value of the employer-paid portion of the insurance premium attributable to domestic partner coverage, less any after-tax contributions toward that coverage, is generally added to taxable wages as imputed income and is subject to applicable income and payroll taxes.