Source: unitedafa.org

On December 24, 2013, United’s “Your Benefits Team” sent an e-mail to an undisclosed group of recipients addressing the refund process for imputed income paid during 2013, by those individuals who had same gender spouses.  As a result of the historic defeat of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) earlier this year, refunds of the imputed income for health & welfare benefits as well as travel entitlements were due to those with same gender spouses.  We encouraged management to compete these processes in a timely manner. 

Regrettably, we are learning of a number of problems.  Some Flight Attendants who have same gender spouses were never notified, nor included in the list of those who should have an adjustment to the imputed income.  Others received only partial adjustments for the value of the health & welfare and pass travel benefits, without an explanation of why the full amounts were not refunded.  Yet still others, received substantial refunds.

Our Union has been attempting to obtain additional information from United payroll about their process on this issue, as well as to obtain information on who should be contacted if Flight Attendants have questions about the amounts they did (or did not) receive; and to challenge any improper calculations.  We have learned there were representatives from many areas of the company involved in determining the process by which refunds of the imputed income would be made.  We are expecting additional information from the company within the days ahead. 

Additionally, the December 24^th e-mail from United Benefits describes the process by which these Flight Attendants, with same gender spouses, can participate in a FICA tax refund process for 2013 and provided a FICA Tax Refund Confirmation Form to be completed and returned to Employee Information Services.  W2C forms will not be created beyond January 30, 2014 so we encourage you to complete these forms at your earliest opportunity.

We are continuing to seek an understanding of the process that is to be used by employees who may have questions or require clarification.  Once a solid process for handling questions from those Flight Attendants with same gender spouses is in place, we will provide an update.