AIP037 | The Split-Earnings Problem: SAG-AFTRA's Elephant in the Room

The Acting Income Podcast with Ben Hauck

Show Notes: http://actingincome.com/episode37

In this long-form episode, host Ben Hauck dives into the ongoing problem of "split earnings" that continues to plague many SAG-AFTRA actors interested in qualifying for a union pension.

Ben explains how the merger of SAG's and AFTRA's health plans did not solve the split-earnings problem, putting members in the awkward situation of turning down union work and large paychecks in the pursuit of a pension credit.

Ben also outlines how SAG-AFTRA repeatedly ignores and fails to provide public comment on the resolution of the split-earnings problem -- a hot-button topic that helped SAG and AFTRA to achieve a merger more than six years ago.

With extensive documentation, Ben shows how it would seem that the union as well as one of its pension plans is quite plausibly against reporting on the pension plans and their health, essentially shutting out members from important information about the status of their pensions. Actors are left trying to interpret signals from the union and its pension plans about what they might be doing -- or might not be doing -- to resolve split earnings.

Ben concludes with what he wants with respect to the split-earninngs problem, and what he hopes listeners will consider when it comes time to vote on contracts and union elections.