End Age and Disability-Related Marriage Penalties

Petition Number: 20780-CA-R9999
Title: End Age and Disability-Related Financial Penalties for Couples Seeking to Marry

Statement

The United Methodist Church affirms the equality of all persons before the law. It therefore opposes all laws and regulations that impose financial losses or penalties on couples who wish to marry.

This includes (but is not limited to) laws and regulations in the United States which involve:

  1. Financial penalties affecting benefits of older adults who are widowed or divorced.

  2. Loss of benefits to single people with disabilities when they marry.

Call to Action

We call United Methodists to advocate for elimination of all financial penalties for couples seeking to marry from laws and regulations where they exist.

We call on:

  • The Committee on Older Adult Ministries (in collaboration with Discipleship Ministries)

  • The Disabilities Committee of The United Methodist Church (in collaboration with Global Ministries and staff of the General Board of Church and Society)

…to provide educational materials about these matters and to lead United Methodists in advocacy to overturn and remove such laws and regulations.

Status

  • Passed: April 30, 2024 on the Consent Calendar B04

  • Vote: 686 to 36

  • Implementation Date: January 1, 2025 in the U.S., later in Central Conferences

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