Why Ford Motor Company’s Family Building Benefit Matters

When Financial Analyst and member of the Ford Pride Employee Resource Group (ERG) Amanda Keller and her wife got married in 2021, they knew two things: they wanted to start a family quickly, and that their path to parenthood would involve some type of fertility treatment. 

“I think like many people who are trying to start a family there are a lot of emotions and stress that go on during the process especially when it doesn’t happen right away. They make it look so easy on TV,” said Keller. Her sentiments echo many others, both at Ford and worldwide, who have struggled to build a family. 

In 2021, a full third of Americans sought fertility treatments or know someone who has, and 15% of couples worldwide are affected by infertility. However, factors like high treatment costs, lack of access and discriminatory insurance practices towards LGBTQIA couples are major roadblocks for couples.

To ease some of these challenges, Ford is launching an inclusive Family Building Benefit for employees and their enrolled spouses that will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2023. The new benefits offer reproductive assistance/fertility treatments, and surrogacy reimbursement, and include an expansion of the current adoption reimbursement benefit and more. 

“Any family that wants a child should have the right and not be penalized due to the high costs. Raising a child is expensive enough, any Ford family (straight or LGBTQIA) can consider this without the added stress of the costs,” said US Retail Network - Business Mgt. Coordinator and Ford Pride ERG member Eric Mutrynowski. He and his husband have struggled with when and how to start their family and are hopeful that the Care Advocate included in the benefit will help them along on their journey.

Not only will the Family Building Benefit alleviate some of the financial pressure associated with adoption, surrogacy and fertility treatments, but Keller also hopes it will remove some of the emotional pressure she and her wife faced as well. “Now although I still want it to work immediately, I don’t have to worry so much if it doesn’t work right away or if we need to try something else,” stated Keller.

For Ford families, the benefit could be life-changing not only at home but at work as well. “Having a family is a dream for many and if it is now attainable that makes for happier and more productive employees. The work-life balance is important and knowing that Ford supports families is important,” said Mutrynowski.