Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do I become a participant in the Pension Plan and Health Fund?

A: You must be hired to perform covered writing services by a company that is signed to the Writers Guild of America (WGA) Minimum Basic Agreement, and your employer must make contributions on your behalf to the Pension Plan and Health Fund.

Q: Can I make contributions on my own behalf?

A: No. Only a signatory employer may make contributions on your behalf to the Pension Plan and Health Fund.

Q: I own the signatory company that has hired me to perform covered services. Can I make contributions on my own behalf?

A: Normally, a writer is never allowed to make contributions on his/her own behalf. However, in the case of a writer who owns 10% or more of the reporting signatory company, there are certain rules which may permit the writer’s company to report on his/her behalf. Please refer to the Owner/Writer section of this website, or call the Employer Compliance Department for further information.

Q: I pay my dues. Why don’t I have Health Fund coverage?

A: You pay your dues to the Writers Guild, a separate organization. Your coverage is based on earnings reported and contributions remitted by your employer. The dues you pay are unrelated to your coverage.

Q: My script was purchased by a company. Do I get contributions on this compensation?

A: Effective May 2, 1998, purchases became reportable is you were also hired to perform writing services on the project (rewrite or polish). Speculative writing is not reportable. There must be an employer/employee relationship.

Q: I made $350,000 on a feature film. Why don’t I see all of this on my pension statement?

A: There is a limit (ceiling) on the amount of earnings reportable on a project. Effective 2/13/08, that limit increased from $200,000 to $225,000 for theatrical projects.

Q: When are contributions due?

A: Contributions are due ten days after the writer is paid, or due, his/her compensation. They are deemed to be delinquent thirty days after the due date. Reportable compensation should always be applied to the period in which the writer earned the compensation. The employer is responsible for communicating to the Administrative Office of the Trusts the exact date the compensation was earned.

Q: Are my residuals reportable to the Pension Plan and Health Fund?

A: Some residuals are subject to contributions, and some are not. Residuals for theatrical motion pictures are not reportable to the Trusts. Most television residuals are reportable, but only up to a ceiling.

If you have questions regarding a particular residual, please send a copy of your original contract and a copy of the residual statement to the Employer Compliance Department, and we will determine whether or not contributions are due on your behalf.

Q: I know the Health Fund percentage has changed in the past years. What percentage do I use to calculate the contribution amount?

A: The following table shows the dates the different Health Fund percentages are in effect:

*Subject to change.

Guaranteed flat-deal employment is payable at the rate which coincides with the writers’ contract date. For writers employed on a week-to-week or term basis, the Health Fund percentage will change as noted above regardless of when employment commenced. When applicable, please alter Item 17 on the Report of Contribution Form to reflect the new rate.