Unlike their heterosexual counterparts, unless an LGBT elder has specific legal documents in place upon their death, state laws generally hand over financial decision-making and inheritance to spouses or blood relatives rather than domestic partners or families of choice. This means that surviving LGBT partners or other loved ones can be totally shut out of an inheritance, resulting in the loss of critical retirement savings, forfeiture of a family home, or impoverishment. Additionally, even when a surviving partner does inherit a deceased loved one's assets, inequitable tax treatment of same-sex couples can mean paying 45 percent in taxes on an inheritance that a surviving heterosexual spouse would inherit tax free.
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LGBT Health, Racial Disparitiesand Aging by the Numbers
Health Equity & LGBT Elders of Color
Diez Cosas Que Todas Las Personas LGBT de Más Edad Deben Saber La Diabetes
Inclusive Questions for Older Adults
Tome Control De Su Salud: Enfermedades Del Corazón
Know Your Rights! LGBT Older Adults & Older Adults Living with HIV
Fact Sheet: LGBT Elder Americans Act
Advancing Economic Security for Diverse Elders
Act now! OAA reauthorization
Gaining Visibility: The Challenges Facing Transgender Elders
