WGA Reveals Health and Pension Fund Struggles Ahead of AMPTP Negotiations

Union warns health plan reserves could be depleted by 2029 without action

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Writers Guild of America (WGA) East and West have issued a joint statement to members detailing the precarious state of the union's health and pension plans ahead of upcoming contract negotiations with the major studios. The WGA warns that at the current rate, the health plan will run out of reserves during the term of the next minimum basic agreement, potentially before 2029. Rising healthcare costs and a decline in employer contributions have strained the plans, with the WGA arguing that the studios can afford to increase their contributions to adequately fund the plans.

Why it matters

The WGA's health and pension plans are critical benefits for its members, many of whom have faced employment challenges and reduced incomes in recent years due to industry disruption. The union's ability to secure adequate funding for these plans will be a key priority in the upcoming negotiations, as the plans' financial stability impacts the overall compensation and well-being of writers.

The details

The WGA added $37 million in health plan costs in 2025 to sustain coverage, as many members have lost employer-paid coverage due to reduced studio spending. While employer contributions have been raised in recent years, it has still fallen short of members' needs. The WGA's health plans offer Extended Coverage that allows writers to maintain insurance if they've lost employer-paid coverage, but the increased reliance on this has further strained the plans. The WGA argues that the studios can afford to increase their contributions, as the current caps on per-project and overall deal income contributions make it difficult to replenish the plans.

  • The WGA's joint memo to members was issued on Friday, February 27, 2026.
  • Negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) are set to begin on March 16, 2026.

The players

WGA East and West

The labor unions representing writers in the film and television industries.

AMPTP

The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, the organization that represents the major studios in contract negotiations with Hollywood unions.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

The WGA and AMPTP will begin contract negotiations on March 16, 2026, with the health and pension plans expected to be a top priority for the union.

The takeaway

The WGA's revelations about the precarious state of its health and pension plans underscore the need for the union to secure significant increases in employer contributions during the upcoming contract negotiations. The financial stability of these critical benefits for writers will be a key battleground in the talks with the major studios.