2026 SAG-AFTRA Basic & TV MOA: Ratified Contract Changes and Effective Dates

2026 SAG-AFTRA Codified Basic Agreement and Television Agreement

SAG-AFTRA members ratified the 2026 TV/Theatrical Agreement on June 5, 2026, with 91.42% voting in favor and 8.58% opposed, on a 19.25% member turnout. The underlying Memorandum of Agreement was signed May 27, 2026, following formal negotiations that ran from February 5 through May 2, 2026. The agreement modifies the Producer–SAG-AFTRA Codified Basic Agreement of 2023 and the 2023 SAG-AFTRA Television Agreement. The new Codified Basic Agreement of 2026 and the 2026 SAG-AFTRA Television Agreement run July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2030.

Effective date: Unless another effective date is specified, wage increases and working conditions take effect on July 1, 2026. 

Minimum Compensation

Item 2 of the MOA | Effective July 1, 2026

Minimum salary rates across both the Codified Basic Agreement and Television Agreement increase by compounded annual increments throughout the four-year term.

“Major Role” performers employed under the day performer exception will be paid at 110% of the current day performer rate.

Network prime time rerun ceilings in Section 18(b)(1)(b) of the Television Agreement remain unchanged.

All allowances and adjustments in both the Codified Basic agreement and the Television agreements also remain unchanged except as specifically modified elsewhere in the MOA.

Overtime money breaks (television): The overtime money break thresholds in Section 25 of the Television Agreement increase as follows for contracts entered into on or after the effective date:

• Three-day contract performers: Effective July 1, 2026, the three-day performer salary threshold moves from $3,150 to $3,800 for three days.
• Weekly, series, and term performers: Effective July 1, 2026, the weekly salary threshold rises from $4,400 to $5,200 (increasing further to $5,750 effective July 1, 2028).
• Stunt performers (multiple picture weekly): Threshold moves to $5,300 per week, then $5,750 effective July 1, 2027 and $6,200 effective July 1, 2029.

The corresponding double-time hourly rates recalculate accordingly (e.g., all weekly performers move from $200 to $236 per hour at double time, increasing to $261 effective July 1, 2028).

Recurring performers (60%+ episode engagement): Effective for new seasons with first-episode principal photography commencing on or after January 1, 2027, weekly performers engaged in at least 60% of a season's episodes are entitled to 120% of applicable scale (130% for major role performers) for episodes beyond the 60% threshold. This does not apply to Modified Deal Performers, Modified Guest Performers, series contract performers, or Schedule F performers.

Series Regulars: Several thresholds and minimums were increased for series regulars under the Television agreement. We recommend referencing the 2026 MOA for information on changes for series regulars applicable for the below.

• Pilots and Initial Options
• Options for Additional Seasons
• Exclusivity Money Breaks
• Section 23(a)(1) Money Breaks
• Commercial Exclusivity
• Span Money Break
• New Relocation Allowance Provisions 

Schedule Breaks

SAG-AFTRA Benefits

Item 3 of the MOA | See Attachment B

Contribution rate increase: Producer contributions to the SAG-AFTRA Health Plan increase by 1.0 percentage point, effective September 6, 2026, which is 90 days following ratification notice. This brings the total P&H percentage to 22% for the Basic and Television agreements.

Expansion of Sideletter K: Effective for projects that start principal photography on or after July 1, 2026 the provisions of sideletter K are expanded to include the first and second season of a half hour series. This means that half hour series that start on or after July 1, 2026 will be able to use the P&H rate of 16.5% for the first two production seasons. Previously, only Pilots, Presentations and the first two production seasons of a 1 hour series were allowed to take advantage of this lower P&H rate.

Budgeting impact: Productions that commence principal photography on or after the effective date must use the 22% contribution rate. Half hour shows that start principal photography after the effective date will now be able to take advantage of the Sideletter K P&H rate of 16.5%.

Residuals: SVOD Moveover Rate (3.6% of Distributor's Gross)

Item 33 of the MOA | Sideletters I/22 (Television) and H/21 (CBA)

The 2026 MOA restructures the moveover-to-SVOD residual for a significant category of productions and existing library titles.

New 3.6% DG moveover structure applies to:

• New theatrical, one-time TV, new season episodic series, and new multi-part closed-end pictures with principal photography commencing on or after July 1, 2026 (or first Sunday following ratification notice).
• New licenses entered into on or after approximately September 1, 2026 (first day of the month 60 days following ratification notice) for theatrical and television pictures whose principal photography commenced on or after July 1, 2020 but before the 2026 effective date.

Structure of the 3.6% pool: For SVOD moveover licenses subject to this new provision, the 3.6% of Distributor's Gross includes health and pension/retirement contributions totaling 13.5% of the total pool (allocated 5.81% to health, 7.69% to pension), effectively making the residuals-only portion 11.89% of the total pool. Contributions are paid to the SAG-AFTRA Health Plan and SAG Pension Plan regardless of whether individual performers' earnings have reached their applicable contribution cap; residuals earnings up to the cap continue to be reported for eligibility purposes. The residuals portion is allocated proportionally using existing methodology (time-and-salary units or 3/2/1 rateable distribution).

High Budget SVOD subsequent-platform residuals: The same 3.6% DG/13.5% contribution structure applies to subsequent-platform SVOD residuals (exhibition on a different SVOD platform than initial exhibition) for the same production categories.

SVOD applicable ceilings: Increase by 2.5% effective July 1, 2027 and an additional 2.5% effective July 1, 2029.

Success Bonus: Total amount of success bonuses increases from 100% to 110% for Qualifying projects. 75% is to be paid to the performers entitled for residuals. Remaining 35% is to be paid to the Producers Success Bonus Distribution Fund.

Foreign subscriber factor — Tier 4: The foreign residual subscriber factor for Tier 4 (75 million or more foreign subscribers) increases from 90% to 95%, effective July 1, 2026.

Compensation report threshold: The maximum compensation threshold for quarterly electronic reports to SAG-AFTRA increases from $1,000,000 to $1,500,000, effective approximately 30 days post-ratification.

Paid Parental Leave Fund

Item 28 of the MOA | New Section 34.1 (CBA) and Section 22.2 (TVA)

A new Paid Parental Leave Fund is established as a joint recommendation to the SAG-AFTRA Health Plan Trustees.

• Funding: Producers contribute 0.25% of all gross compensation (as defined in Section 34 of the CBA General Provisions, subject to the same ceilings and exceptions) effective July 1, 2028.

• Benefits available: No earlier than July 1, 2029, for leaves taken within one year of birth, adoption, or placement of a child.

• Eligibility and benefit calculation: To be determined by the SAG-AFTRA Health Plan Trustees. Benefits coordinate with applicable local, state, and federal income replacement benefits; tax obligations rest with the recipient.

• Funding isolation: No funds from the SAG-AFTRA Health Plan, SAG Pension Plan, or AFTRA Retirement Fund may be used to support the new Fund.

Budgeting impact: Budget an additional 0.25% gross compensation contribution beginning July 1, 2028.

Meal Penalties

Effective July 1, 2026, meal penalty rates for principal performers increase to $75 beginning with the fifth one-half hour and stay at $75 for each additional one-half hour. 

Effective July 1, 2026, meal penalty rates for background performers increase to $15 beginning with the fifth one-half hour and stay at $15 for each additional one-half hour.

Background Actors: Schedule X Updates

Item 6 of the MOA

Swimmer/skater (Schedule X-I, Section 3(a)(2)): Day rate for swimmers and skaters increases from $518.00 to $580.00, effective July 1, 2026 (subject to general annual wage increases in subsequent years).

TV coverage caps: Television picture background actor coverage caps increase from 25 to 26 effective July 1, 2026, and from 26 to 27 effective July 1, 2029. This means that as of July 1, 2026 the first 26 background actors on a television motion picture per day must be covered under the SAG-AFTRA agreement.

Theatrical coverage caps: The existing theatrical cap applies to the first 85 background actors (excluding swimmers, skaters, dancers, and stand-ins) per day. This theatrical cap now also applies to High Budget SVOD Programs 85 minutes or longer with a budget of $30 million or more on a platform with 20 million or more domestic subscribers.

Stand-in / double-duty adjustment: Stand-ins performing general background actor work (or vice versa) receive an additional $27.00 adjustment for any day involving both types of work.

Body make-up / hair goods adjustment: Increases from $19.00 to $21.50 per day. Hairpiece furnishing adjustment also increases to $21.50.

New: Extensive hair and make-up adjustment: Background actors required to report in extensively self-styled hair or non-ordinary period make-up per detailed producer instructions receive $35.00 for that day (work time still begins at call time, not when starting make-up or hair styling at home).

Corsets: Background actors required to wear a corset during photography and/or rehearsal receive an additional adjustment of $21.50 per day.

Wardrobe allowances (effective July 1, 2026 / July 1, 2027):

Automobile allowances (effective July 1, 2026 / July 1, 2027):

Late payment penalties:

• Schedule X Part I (Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco, Hawaii and Las Vegas Zones): Late background actor pay charge increases from $3.00 to $5.00 per day, maximum from $75 to $125 per violation (Part I).
• Schedule X Part II (New York Background Zone): Late background actor pay charge increases from $3.00 → $5.00 per-day for checks not postmarked within 72 hours (studio/nearby) or 120 hours (overnight location).

Background actor per diem (new provision):  Effective July 1, 2026, background actors will receive the same per diem provisions as principal performers.  

Costume fitting minimum call: Background actor fittings on a day prior to work are paid for a minimum of three hours (up from two hours) at the hourly rate; additional time passed the 3 hours is still paid in 30-minute units.

Travel time on seventh consecutive day / holidays (Schedule X-I, Section 41(f)): Travel time on a seventh consecutive day or holiday now triggers double time after ten hours (reduced from twelve hours).

Stunt Performers

Stunt Coordinator weekly flat rates: 

• Stunt performers working under Schedule K-III during production on multiple episodes of the same season of a series or parts of the same multi-part closed end picture will be paid the same weekly flat rate that applies to Theatrical Motion Pictures. 

• Prep services prior to the commencement of principal photography of the season or the multi-part closed-end picture can be paid at the single picture flat deal television rates. This also includes prep services that are scheduled at the discretion of the stunt coordinator where the stunt coordinator is not required to report to a specific location at a specific time by the producer.  

Choreographers (New Coverage) and Dancers

Item 8 of the MOA | New Schedule J, Part II

Choreographers and assistant choreographers are brought under SAG-AFTRA coverage for the first time under this agreement.

• No mandatory staffing — engagement is at producer's sole discretion; rates are individually negotiated.
• Pension and health contributions required on behalf of all choreographers employed on covered motion pictures, on the basis of the applicable solo/duo dancer rate (or the compensation for any other covered category, whichever is greater).
• On-set rest periods, meal periods, and travel provisions mirror Schedule J, Part I (incorporating Schedule A for daily hires and Schedule B for weekly hires).

Dancer Group Rates: Effective July 1, 2026, there will no longer be a separate designation for Dancer groups of 3-8 and 9+. The new designation will be “Dancers Group of 3+”

Hazardous activity compensation for dancers increases from $100.00 to $110.00 per day, with the single-day minimum increasing from $125.00 to $135.00.

Wardrobe

Item 41 of the MOA

Formal wear allowance (Schedule A / B / C): Increases from $27.00 to $30.00 effective July 1, 2027. "All other wardrobe" allowance increases from $12.00 to $14.00 effective July 1, 2027.

Corsets (performers): A performer required to wear a corset during photography or rehearsal receives an adjustment of $21.50 per day, effective July 1, 2026 (applicable across Schedules A, B, C, E, and the Television Agreement).

Minor Performers

Item 43 of the MOA

Education time: Any time a minor spends in production-required education (including banking) constitutes work time and must be paid as such. It does not, however, commence consecutive employment.

Chaperone requirements: Producers engaging minors under age 14 must designate one individual to coordinate welfare matters. For minors under 16, one or more appropriately qualified individuals must be designated as chaperones. The foregoing does not apply if the minor is called for up to one hour for limited activities after regular school hours, when accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Parent/guardian monitor access: On request, producers must make best efforts to provide visual access (open or glass door, window, or monitor) to minors in school facilities, when feasible.

Per Diem 

Per diem increase: General performer per diem increases by $5.00 total ($1 breakfast / $2 lunch / $2 dinner) effective July 1, 2028.

Additional Provisions

Safety Training Minimum Call: Provisions were added to allow for a four hour minimum call for safety training only days.

Late Payment Charges: Effective July 1, 2026, the Maximum period for late charges increases from 20 days to 25 days and the maximum fee per violation increases from $200 to $250.

Fittings money break (day performers): Performers receiving over $1,500.00 per day (increased from $1,400) are not entitled to fitting compensation for pre-work fittings. For contracts entered into on or after the effective date, this threshold increases further to $1,700.00 per day.

Use of a double threshold: The "use of a double" provisions now apply to day performers employed at or above $1,600.00 per day (up from $1,300.00).

Singer groups of 9 or more: New provisions were added for off-camera singers under day player contracts that allow for three hour sessions payable at 50% of the applicable rate. Specific overtime structures are provided for time over 3 hours.

Holiday premium past midnight: Performers working past 12:01 a.m. into a holiday are entitled to a maximum of double time for the time worked into the holiday; no compounding of overtime.

Vertical Programs sideletter: If AMPTP member companies begin producing "Vertical Programs" (serialized, scripted dramatic programming in 9:16 aspect ratio, mobile distribution, installments of approximately three minutes or less) on other than an experimental basis, the AMPTP must meet with SAG-AFTRA within 30 days of a request to discuss whether different minimum terms and conditions are appropriate.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the effective date of the 2026 SAG-AFTRA Basic and TV Agreement?

July 1, 2026, or the first Sunday following the business day on which the AMPTP receives notice of ratification, whichever is later. Wage increase provisions apply to services rendered on or after that date under both existing and new contracts. Working condition changes apply on the same trigger date.

Do the wage increases apply to performers already under contract?

Yes, wage increase provisions apply to services rendered on and after the effective date under existing contracts of employment, as well as new contracts entered into on or after that date, and to motion pictures whose principal photography commenced after the effective date.

Does the theatrical coverage cap now apply to High Budget SVOD productions?

Yes. High Budget SVOD Programs of 85 minutes or longer with a budget of $30 million or more on a platform with 20 million or more domestic subscribers are now subject to the theatrical motion picture background actor coverage cap (first 85 background actors per day, excluding swimmers, skaters, dancers, and stand-ins).

What is the difference between an "adjustment" and an “allowance” in reference to additional pay?

When it comes to additional pay, adjustments are amounts that are added to the overall rate for the affected days or weeks and can affect overtime rates or any other calculations that may use the daily or weekly rates. Allowances are flat amounts that are paid as in addition to the daily or weekly pay, but do not increase the daily or weekly amount for any other purpose.

When do the new SVOD moveover residuals at 3.6% of Distributor's Gross apply?

For productions commencing principal photography on or after July 1, 2026. Additionally, new licenses entered into on or after approximately September 1, 2026 for productions whose principal photography commenced on or after July 1, 2020 (but before the 2026 effective date) are also subject to the new 3.6% DG / 13.5% contribution structure.

Does the 0.25% Paid Parental Leave Fund contribution start immediately?

No. Contributions begin July 1, 2028. Benefits are available no earlier than July 1, 2029 for leaves within one year of birth, adoption, or foster placement.

GreenSlate processes SAG-AFTRA residuals and payroll for productions of all sizes. Learn more at greenslate.com/residuals.

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The information in this communication is general in nature and is not intended, nor should it be construed, as legal, accounting, tax, or other professional advice rendered by GreenSlate, LLC. The reader should contact his or her attorney, CPA, or tax professional prior to taking any action based upon this information.