Page "Same-sex marriage in the United States" Paragraph 7

According to the federal government's Government Accountability Office ( GAO ) in 2004, more than 1, 138 rights and protections are conferred to U. S. citizens upon marriage by the federal government ; areas affected include Social Security benefits, veterans ' benefits, health insurance, Medicaid, hospital visitation, estate taxes, retirement savings, pensions, family leave, and immigration law.