SAG-AFTRA Board Backs 4-Year Studio Deal With 2028 Pension Merger
Updated
Updated · Variety · May 12
SAG-AFTRA Board Backs 4-Year Studio Deal With 2028 Pension Merger
8 articles · Updated · Variety · May 12
Jan. 1, 2028 is the target date for combining SAG-AFTRA’s two pension funds under a four-year studio contract the union’s board approved and sent to members for ratification.
The merger aims to help members with “split earnings” across the SAG and AFTRA plans qualify for benefits by counting that income in one system.
Opposition remains sharp: some SAG pension beneficiaries say the move would weaken their fund, and former union candidate Peter Antico has filed a Labor Department complaint calling it a bailout of AFTRA’s plan.
The contract also covers AI and streaming residuals, follows a May 3 tentative deal after six weeks of bargaining, and fits studios’ push for four-year agreements to avoid a repeat of the 2023 strikes.
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How the 2026 SAG-AFTRA-AMPTP Contract Sets New Standards for AI, Residuals, and Labor Stability in Hollywood
Overview
The tentative agreement between SAG-AFTRA and the AMPTP marks a major advance for union members, focusing on better compensation, stronger health benefits, and robust protections against the unregulated use of artificial intelligence. Building on previous contracts, the deal requires informed consent and fair pay when AI is used to replicate performers’ likenesses or voices, aiming to prevent exploitation and ensure creative work remains human-centered. These changes are expected to reshape industry practices, improve members’ quality of life, and set new standards for digital rights, while the agreement’s ratification and full details are still pending.