SAG-AFTRA is holding as much as $48 million for 96,000 members it cannot find
A recent study by Deadline found that the largest actors’ union in the U.S., SAG-AFTRA, is holding millions of dollars belonging to actors they cannot locate. In many cases, the actors die without ever knowing they are owed money. The union, which mostly covers actors who perform in television and film, is holding this money on behalf of the actors, despite being able to locate many of their heirs, according to the site.
From Deadline:
Searching the SAG Unclaimed Residuals website, Deadline found that the union owes money to more than 96,000 performers – an average of about $495 apiece. Some have much more coming to them, some much less. Only the union knows for sure, and it doesn’t say how much any performer is owed unless they or their heirs contact the residuals department and file for their unclaimed moneys.
“At of the close of the last fiscal year, SAG-AFTRA reported unclaimed residuals of approximately $48 million held in trust for performers,” the union acknowledged in response to inquiries from Deadline. “The fund fluctuates daily due to new receipts and amounts paid out to performers. The amount represents the unclaimed residuals funds held in trust by SAG-AFTRA, which combined the former SAG Unclaimed Residuals trust and the former AFTRA Unable to Locate trust.”
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