497 1 d71386d497.htm PRUDENTIAL DISCOVERY PREMIER GROUP VARIABLE CONTRACT ACCOUNT--GROUP PREMIER II Prudential Discovery Premier Group Variable Contract Account--Group Premier II

THE PRUDENTIAL INSURANCE COMPANY OF AMERICA

PRUDENTIAL DISCOVERY PREMIER GROUP VARIABLE CONTRACT ACCOUNT

Discovery Premier Group Retirement Annuity II

Supplement to Prospectus Dated June 26, 2015

Supplement dated July 30, 2015

This Supplement should be read and retained with the current Prospectus for your Annuity. This Supplement is intended to update certain information in the Prospectus for your Annuity. If you would like another copy of the current Prospectus, please contact us at 1-877-778-2100.

We are issuing this supplement to provide updated information pursuant to the decision of the Supreme Court ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges for same sex couples.

PROSPECTUS CHANGES - Effective July 30, 2015

 

I. Table of Contents

On page (i), the sub-heading “Same-Gender Spouse, Civil Union and Domestic Partner Considerations” has been changed to:

Civil Union and Domestic Partner Considerations

 

II. FEDERAL TAX STATUS

On page 23, the sub-heading entitled “Same-Gender Spouse, Civil Union and Domestic Partner Considerations,” and its contents, have been deleted and replaced with:

Civil Union and Domestic Partner Considerations

Prior to a 2013 Supreme Court decision, and consistent with Section 3 of the federal Defense of Marriage Act (“DOMA”), same sex marriages under state law were not recognized as same sex marriages for purposes of federal law. However, in United States v. Windsor, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Section 3 of DOMA as unconstitutional, thereby recognizing a valid same sex marriage for federal law purposes. On June 26, 2015, the Supreme Court ruled in Obergefell v. Hodges that same sex couples have a constitutional right to marry, thus requiring all states to allow same sex marriage. The Windsor and Obergefell decisions mean that the federal and state tax law provisions applicable to an opposite sex spouse will also apply to a same sex spouse.

Although the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) issued guidance on recognition of same sex marriages for federal tax purposes on August 29, 2013, this guidance did not recognize civil unions and registered domestic partnerships as marriages for federal tax purposes. Consequently, if a state does not recognize a civil union or a registered domestic partnership as a marriage, it is not a marriage for federal tax purposes.

Further guidance is expected regarding the impact of the Windsor and Obergefell decisions related to the application of federal and state tax laws.

Please consult with your tax or legal adviser with regard to spousal rights under the Contract for a domestic partner or civil union partner.

PLEASE RETAIN THIS SUPPLEMENT WITH YOUR PROSPECTUS

 

NOT01SU146