Entertainment Industry Multiemployer Pension Plans (MEPPs) are retirement plans tailored to the specific needs of workers and employers within the entertainment sector. These plans are established through collective bargaining agreements between labor unions or industry associations and employers in the entertainment industry. Entertainment MEPPs aim to provide retirement income security for employees in various segments of the entertainment field. Here are some types of Entertainment Industry MEPP Plans:
- Actors’ Equity MEPPs:
- These plans cater to professional actors, providing retirement benefits to members of the Actors’ Equity Association. The plans are designed to accommodate the career trajectories of actors who often have irregular employment patterns.
- Screen Actors Guild (SAG-AFTRA) Plans:
- MEPPs established in cooperation with SAG-AFTRA provide retirement benefits to actors, performers, and other entertainment industry professionals. These plans are designed to reflect the unique earning patterns in the entertainment field.
- Musicians’ Retirement Plans:
- Plans serving musicians, orchestral players, and composers are specific to the entertainment industry. These MEPPs recognize the non-standard work arrangements of musicians and aim to provide financial security during retirement.
- Writers’ Guild Plans:
- Writers’ Guild MEPPs offer retirement benefits to screenwriters, authors, and other writers in the entertainment industry. They often address the episodic nature of writing jobs in film and television.
- Directors’ and Producers’ Plans:
- MEPPs for directors and producers cater to professionals in the filmmaking and television industries. They provide retirement benefits to those responsible for creating and managing entertainment content.
- Crew and Technical Staff Plans:
- These plans are designed for behind-the-scenes workers, including camera operators, lighting technicians, and sound engineers. They accommodate the project-based nature of technical roles in the entertainment sector.
- Stunt Performers’ MEPPs:
- Stunt performers often have unique career paths and may face higher physical risks. MEPPs for stunt performers offer retirement benefits that address their specialized needs.
- Entertainment Unions’ Plans:
- Industry-specific labor unions and associations, such as IATSE (International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees) and the Writers Guild of America, establish MEPPs to cover members across various entertainment occupations.
- Television and Broadcasting Plans:
- Plans in this category cover employees working in television production, broadcast news, and related areas. They provide retirement benefits to TV broadcasters, journalists, and production staff.
- Film and Motion Picture Plans:
- MEPPs specific to the film industry offer retirement benefits to employees involved in the production of motion pictures. These plans may address the cyclical nature of film production.
- Theatre Industry MEPPs:
- MEPPs established in the theater sector provide retirement benefits to employees involved in live theater productions, including actors, stagehands, and administrative staff.
- Entertainment and Theme Park Plans:
- These plans cater to employees working in theme parks, amusement parks, and the broader entertainment and leisure industry. They provide retirement benefits to workers in various roles within this sector.
- Dance and Ballet Plans:
- MEPPs serving dancers and ballet performers provide retirement benefits to individuals in the dance industry, which often involves short-term contracts and seasonal work.
- Voiceover Artists’ Plans:
- Plans for voiceover artists offer retirement benefits to professionals who provide voice work for animated films, commercials, and other media.
Entertainment Industry MEPP Plans aim to address the unique career dynamics, income patterns, and employment fluctuations experienced by workers in the entertainment sector. The specific design and features of these plans depend on the collective bargaining agreements, industry dynamics, and the priorities of the parties involved.