Since the 1990s, SAG-AFTRA has negotiated contract language that provides for contributions towards SAG-AFTRA pension and health benefits, with some limitations, for assistant choreographers and choreographers on union projects.
Note that wherever the language below refers to an individual’s history with a particular plan, the requirement can be satisfied by any of the health plans (SAG-Producers Health Plan, AFTRA Health Fund, or SAG-AFTRA Health Plan). SAG and AFTRA merged in 2012 and the health plans merged on January 1, 2017, although the SAG pension and AFTRA retirement plans are still separate.
Also note that in 2022, the historical requirements were totally eliminated from the Commercials Contract, so every Assistant Choreographer and Choreographer on union commercials now gets benefits contributions.
The SAG-AFTRA Health Plan has a form for signatory employers to use when submitting contributions to the plan. They also have an email contact: choreographer@sagaftraplans.org.
Here is the relevant language in the major SAG-AFTRA contracts:
SAG-AFTRA Commercials Contract
Schedule A.I.FF.3 Assistant Choreographer
So as to provide Pension and Health coverage for those dancers engaged as Assistant Choreographers, Producer agrees to contribute to the Plans on the Assistant Choreographer’s behalf on the basis of the minimum session fee for Group Dancers 3+ as set forth in Section 20.A. of this Contract.
Schedule A.I.FF.3 Choreographer
Producer shall contribute to the Plans on the choreographer’s behalf on the basis of the minimum session fee for principal performers as set forth in Section 20.A. of this Contract.
SAG-AFTRA TV/Theatrical Agreement (Schedule J)
Section 6.F Assistant Choreographer
For dancers engaged as assistant choreographers, Producer shall make contributions to the Pension and Health Funds on the accounts of such individuals who have had prior contributions made in five (5) out of the last ten (10) years as dancers.
Section 6.G Choreographer
If a dancer who has qualified for health coverage under the SAG-Producers Pension and Health Plans for five (5) years is employed to work on a motion picture or television motion picture as a choreographer, but not as a dancer or in any other category covered by the Agreement, Producer will contribute to the SAG-Producer Pension and Health Plans on such dancer’s behalf on the basis of the applicable solo/duo dancer rate as provided on Section 3 of this Schedule J.
SAG-AFTRA Network Code Agreement
Section 5.A.(13) Assistant Choreographer
If a dancer on whose behalf contributions have been made to the AFTRA Health and Retirement Funds during five (5) of the prior ten (10) years is employed to work on a covered television program as an assistant choreographer, but not as a dancer or in any other category covered by the Code, Producer will contribute to the AFTRA Health and Retirement Funds on such dancer’s behalf on the basis of the highest compensation received by any group dancer on the program for services as a group dancer. If no individual classified as a dancer under this Code appears on the program, the contribution shall be based on the Group Dancer program fee, pursuant to the length of the program.
Section 5.A.(13) Choreographer
If a dancer who has qualified for health coverage under the AFTRA Health and Retirement Funds for five (5) years is employed to work on a covered television program as a choreographer, but not as a dancer or in any other category covered by the Code, Producer will contribute to the AFTRA Health and Retirement Funds on such dancer’s behalf on the basis of the highest compensation received by any group dancer on the program for services as a group dancer. If no individual classified as a dancer under this Code appears on the program, the contribution shall be based on the Group Dancer program fee, pursuant to the length of the program.
SAG-AFTRA Music Video Agreement
Section 6.A. Assistant Choreographer
If a dancer on whose behalf contributions have been made to the AFTRA Funds during five (5) of the prior ten (10) years is employed to work on a music video as an assistant choreographer, but not as a dancer, the Company will contribute to the AFTRA Funds on such dancer’s behalf on the basis of the highest compensation received by any dancer on the music video.
Section 6.A. Choreographer
If a dancer who has qualified for health coverage under the AFTRA Funds for five (5) years is employed to work on a music video as a choreographer, but not as a dancer, the Company will contribute to the AFTRA Funds on such dancer’s behalf on the basis of the highest compensation received by any dancer on the music video.