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).
A 401(k) is a retirement savings plan that allows employees to save and invest for their own retirement. Through a 401(k), you authorize your employer to deduct a certain amount of money from your paycheck before taxes are withheld, and to transfer it to your 401(k) account. Those monies are invested in investment options that you choose from your 401(k) Plan's provider. You do not pay income taxes on this money until it is withdrawn from the plan.
The following contracts allow for 401(k) employer and deferral contributions: Production/SETA Contracts (Equity/League) and Production Contract (Disney Theatrical Productions, Ltd). These employers contribute 3% of your weekly compensation up to a maximum contribution of $225.00 per week, based on the maximum weekly salary of up to a cap of $7,500.00. The maximum single employer contribution for an actor/stage manager for the year 2018 is $8,250 per employer. LORT and WCLO contracts allow for employer contributions to be paid equal to the percentage required under each contract’s employment category based on their weekly minimum salary amounts.
Many other Equity contracts now allow you to contribute to you 401(k) account through monies deduted from weekly salary. Please note there are no employer contributions eligible under these contract types. Click here for a list of contracts.
The Equity-League 401(k) plan's provider is John Hancock Retirement Plan Services.
For more information visit My 401(k) 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.
