Four-Year SAG-AFTRA Pact Sets Pension Merge and AI Rules in Motion
The SAG-AFTRA board approved a four-year contract with the major studios, including a plan to merge the union’s two pension funds on January 1, 2028, backed by a 1% hike in contributions to stabilize the merged fund; the agreement also expands streaming residuals funding from 25% to 35%, adds AI guardrails (no guaranteed union-fund payments for synthetic characters unless there’s clear value, with arbitration to enforce terms), and raises most minimums by 3% annually. Members will vote to ratify after webinars and mail instructions, amid ongoing concerns from some beneficiaries that the merger could weaken the pension, while proponents say it benefits those with earnings split between plans.
