Despite legal progress, many LGBTQ+ employees still face barriers when it comes to estate planning and end-of-life preparation. While marriage equality brought legal recognition, it did not account for different caregiving structures, varying state-level protections, and the central role of chosen family that shape many LGBTQ+ lives. These factors make it essential to approach planning with greater intention and clarity.
The Planning Gap LGBTQ+ Employees Still Face
According to research from JP Morgan, LGBTQ+ people are twice as likely to live alone in older age, four times less likely to have children, and often rely on their chosen family for support—relationships that may not be legally recognized without formal documentation.
Without proper estate plans, healthcare directives, or power of attorney in place, trusted caregivers may be excluded from critical decisions.
Lack of planning during bereavement affects employee wellbeing and productivity. According to The Grief Tax: Empathy’s 2025 Research Report:
79% of grieving employees considered quitting
76% feared being let go
Executors spent an average of 20 months managing a loved one’s estate
For LGBTQ+ employees, these challenges are compounded by legal complexity, caregiving burdens, and exclusion from default inheritance or medical decision-making frameworks.
Estate Planning as a Modern Employee Benefit
Empathy’s LifeVault™ helps employees create and store essential, legally-compliant documents like wills, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives with ease. It provides clear guidance and secure storage, enabling employees to protect loved ones and reduce stress during times of crisis.
These tools help ensure that chosen family members have the legal standing to act when needed without relying on state defaults or contested decisions.
A Meaningful Addition to Pride Month
Offering estate planning support through benefits platforms is a practical step employers can take to better support LGBTQ+ employees. It reflects awareness of real-world challenges and provides tangible solutions to help navigate them.
Learn how LifeVault can help your organization offer inclusive, accessible planning tools.