Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who administers the Plan?

The Pension Plan is administered by a Board of Directors, made up of an equal number of Guild Directors and Producer Directors. This Board of Directors administers the pension trust fund in accordance with the Trust Agreement, which provides that the money contributed by Employers to the fund can only be used for the purpose of providing retirement benefits for Participants covered by the Plan and their beneficiaries and for the administration of the Plan. The Board of Directors has complete discretion in making factual determinations and in construing and interpreting the terms and provisions of the Plan.

What is the earliest age I can retire?

You can retire at age 52 if you have accrued at least five Qualified Years (not counting Qualified Years forfeited prior to January 1, 1998, due to a permanent Break in Service). There is no minimum age requirement for the Terminal Illness Benefit; however, you cannot elect this benefit after you are eligible to retire.

Do Retirement Benefits provided by this Plan affect Social Security benefits?

No. The benefits payable under this Plan are in addition to benefits paid under Social Security and will not reduce Social Security benefits.

May Retirement Benefits be assigned or pledged as collateral to secure a loan?

No. This is prohibited by law and the Plan.

May I withdraw or borrow against the contributions made on my behalf?

No. Regardless of whether you leave the industry or not, benefits are payable only when you retire (and meet the age and service requirements for a pension) or upon your death.

Who is covered by the Plan?

Any writer who performs services for which contributions are payable to the Plan under any of the Guild’s Collective Bargaining Agreements is covered under the Plan.

Can Retirement Benefits be affected by changes in marital status?

Yes. If you get married, your spouse is automatically named as your beneficiary unless you and your spouse properly notify the Administrative Office of a different beneficiary. Please contact the Administrative Office to obtain the proper forms. If you are divorced, the benefits payable under the Plan will be subject to the requirements of a divorce order if it is a Qualified Domestic Relations Order. The Administrative Office can provide, at no cost, a separate document setting forth the procedures regarding Qualified Domestic Relations Orders. Please note that a Qualified Domestic Partner cannot receive part of a Participant’s benefits pursuant to a divorce decree.

Can the Plan be changed or terminated?

Yes. The Directors hope to continue the Plan indefinitely, but they reserve the right to amend or terminate the Plan in their sole discretion. However, an amendment cannot deprive a Participant of the right to receive a benefit, which has already been accrued. If the Plan terminates, Participants will become fully vested in their accrued benefits, to the extent funded. Such accrued benefits will be paid in accordance with ERISA and the requirements of the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC), and to the extent provided by the Trust Fund and termination insurance. (See PBGC.)

Are my benefits under this Plan affected by any other plan?

The Plan is maintained by various collective bargaining agreements. Some of these agreements provide that benefits may not be earned concurrently under this Plan and a private corporate retirement plan, such as that maintained by 20th Century Fox Film Corporation. Please contact your Employer or the Administrative Office for details of the collective bargaining agreement.

Except for benefits payable to certain current retirees under the Motion Picture Industry Pension Plan, benefits are not affected by benefit coverage under any other Guild or Union multiemployer pension plan. However, tax laws provide that your benefits may be affected by benefits paid by a plan maintained by your Employer (including a loan-out company). See "Limitation on Benefits".

If benefits are denied, may the Participant or beneficiary appeal the denial?

Yes. Any Participant or beneficiary who is denied a benefit has the right to appeal the denial to the Benefits Committee within 60 days after the date shown on the notice of denial. For a complete explanation of the appeals procedure, please see "Claims and Appeals Procedures".

Since I am a member of the Writers Guild and have paid my dues on a regular basis, am I entitled to a pension?

Benefits under the Pension Plan are based on contributions made to the Plan by Employers for your work in Covered Employment. Benefits are not based on Guild membership or the payment of dues.

What happens to the money contributed for Participants who later incur a permanent Break in Service?

In general this money is used to provide death benefits to your beneficiary. If you are not eligible for a death benefit, the money remains as general assets of the Plan and is used to provide other benefits.

Does the money contributed on my behalf earn interest?

Yes. The Plan has professional investment managers who invest the assets of the Plan, including the contributions made on your behalf. However, this is not a defined contribution plan where contributions to the Plan for each participant are separated into individual accounts with interest allocated to each account. Rather, it is a defined benefit plan in which the benefit is determined in accordance with a formula in the Plan, and the amount of that benefit is guaranteed regardless of the performance of the Plan’s investments. Thus, the interest and other earnings will not affect your benefits.

Who can I designate as a beneficiary for any benefits due in the event of my death?

You may designate anyone you wish as your beneficiary. However, if you are married, your spouse must consent, in a notarized writing, to the person you select or if you have a Qualified Domestic Partner, he or she must consent in a notarized writing to the person you select. You may designate more than one person as beneficiary. You may also designate a trust or your estate as beneficiary. In all cases, you should be sure to provide information as to whom to contact and, if you name more than one beneficiary, how the benefits should be divided. If you have any questions or would like beneficiary designation forms, please contact the Administrative Office.

Can I take my benefit in a lump sum?

If the actuarial value of your annual benefit is $5,000 or less, the benefit will be paid as a lump sum. If the actuarial value of your total payments exceeds $5,000, a lump sum payment is not permitted.

Are contributions made to the Plan for my residuals?

Contributions are made to the Plan for residuals due on scripts written specifically for television up to 2-1/2 times the applicable WGA minimum compensation or the agreed upon initial compensation of the writer, whichever is greater. However, contributions are not made for residuals on theatrical motion pictures.

Can I direct investment of any assets in the Plan?

No. The Plan does not provide for individually directed investments.

Can I roll over benefits under this Plan into another pension plan or into this Plan from another plan?

The Plan cannot accept roll overs from other plans. However, under certain circumstances you may be able to rollover benefits from this Plan to a traditional IRA or qualified retirement plan. See the “Federal Income Tax Withholding on Benefits” section.