Pension, health and 401(k) benefits are provided by the Equity-League Benefit Funds. The Funds are an independent organization with offices located at 165 West 46th Street, New York, NY 10036 on the 14th floor. For more information, visit www.equityleague.org or call 212-869-9380 or 1-800-344-5220 (outside of New York).
Since its founding in 1961, the Pension Fund has grown with assets now exceeding $1.5 billion (as of May 31, 2017). The Pension Fund pays benefits to over 8,300 pensioners and beneficiaries totaling more than $75 million annually. This is projected to increase so that by the year 2020, we will have an estimated 13,000 pension recipients receiving approximately $87 million in annual benefits.
Under most Equity agreements, producers contribute a percentage of your weekly contractual salary (subject to an annual cap) into the Pension Fund.
How do I qualify for a pension ?
In general, you earn one year of vesting service for each calendar year in which you worked at least two weeks in covered employment.
You can become vested with 5 or 10 years of vesting service, depending on when that vested service occurred. If you are vested and become totally and permanently disabled, you may qualify for a Disability Pension.
For more information visit My Pension Plan on the Equity-League Benefits Fund website.
Pursuant to federal law, the Equity-League Pension, Health and 401(k) Trust Fund is a separate organization which is jointly administered by labor and management. The Board of Trustees of the Equity League Funds is made up of an equal number of Trustees representing both Actors' Equity and various management bargaining associations. The Trustees have a legal fiduciary responsibility to the Funds. All Trustee decisions are implemented by a Fund Administrator (hired jointly by labor and management Trustees) who supervises the Funds' staff and operations. The Funds are housed in separate offices and are NOT a subsidiary or department of Actors' Equity Association.
