Exxon to Offer Benefits to Same-Sex Couples

To those who are legally married

Exxon says it will begin offering benefits to legally married same-sex couples in the U.S. for the first time as of Oct. 1.

The company says it will recognize "all legal marriages" when it determines eligibility for health care plans for the company's 77,000 employees and retirees in the U.S.

That means if a gay employee has been married in a state or country where gay marriage is legal, his or her spouse will be eligible for benefits with Exxon starting next year.