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. If you need to find out what constitutes covered writing services, please contact the WGA Contracts Department. If you need to find out how much you must earn for Health Fund eligibility, please contact our Eligibility Department. If you need to know how much you must earn for a qualified Pension Plan year, please contact our Pension Benefits Department.

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: When are contributions due?

A: Weekly employers are required to remit contributions, along with a completed Report of Contributions (either transmitted electronically or on paper) not more than ten (10) business days after the close of the payroll week during which the writer is paid or due compensation. Contributions are deemed to be delinquent if they have not been received within thirty (30) calendar days from the "due" date. If the payment is not made by the end of the thirty (30) day grace period, interest will be charged from the end of the week in which the writer was paid or due contributions.

Monthly employers are required to remit contributions, along with a completed Report of Contributions (either transmitted electronically or on paper) not more than ten (10) business days after the close of the month during which the writer is paid or due compensation. Contributions are deemed to be delinquent if they have not been received within ten (10) calendar days from the "due" date. If the payment is not made by the end of the ten (10) day grace period, interest will be charged from the end of the month in which the writer was paid or due contributions.

The Administrative Office will help you determine if you are a “weekly” or “monthly” employer.

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:

Employment commencing on or after the beginning dates shall be subject to the new contribution rate. Guaranteed flat-deal employment commencing prior to those dates will remain at the prior Health Fund contribution rate. 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.