Benefits Available to Same-Sex Couples Compared to Heterosexual Couples

According to the United States General Accounting Office, in 1997 there were 1,049 federal laws in which benefits, rights, and privileges based on marital status. In 2003, 1,138 federal laws existed. The benefits included social security benefits, veterans’ benefits, taxation, federal employee benefits, immigration and naturalization, and intellectual property rights. To read the entire report, click on Defense of Marriage Act: Update to Prior Report.