Quick answer: To qualify for health coverage through the SAG-AFTRA Health Plan for a benefit period beginning in 2026, a performer needs $28,090 in covered earnings during a four-quarter base earnings period, or 108 “eligibility days.” The earnings requirement rises each year through 2029. Older guides that cite $25,950 or $26,470 are out of date.
The 2026 requirement
The SAG-AFTRA Plans’ own Earned Eligibility page lists the minimum covered earnings by benefit year:
| Benefit year | Minimum earnings |
|---|---|
| 2026 | $28,090 |
| 2027 | $28,933 |
| 2028 | $29,801 |
| 2029 | $30,695 |
The plan notes that for 2026 benefit periods, meaning those beginning on or before October 1, 2026, eligibility is judged against the 2026 figure of $28,090.
Out-of-date numbers still online. Several third-party guides still show $25,950 or $26,470 as the threshold, and some also describe older “Plan I” and “Plan II” tiers. Those figures reflect earlier years. Use the plan’s current page rather than a blog post.
What counts as “covered earnings”
According to the plan’s FAQ, the earnings and days requirements are based solely on earnings or days of employment covered by a SAG-AFTRA collective bargaining agreement. Pay from non-union work doesn’t count. The premium a participant pays for coverage does not count as earnings either.
The two ways to qualify
- Minimum earnings: reach the dollar threshold in the table above.
- Alternative Days: reach 108 Eligibility Days during the base earnings period. Per the plan, Eligibility Days are calculated by dividing total applicable sessional covered earnings by the SAG-AFTRA minimum daily rate for the contract the work was done under.
Our reading of how the two routes compare (not an official rule): because Eligibility Days depend on each contract’s daily minimum, the day count works out differently by contract. On the TV/Theatrical agreement, where the day-performer minimum is $1,283 from July 1, 2026, the dollar threshold is reached much sooner: $28,090 ÷ $1,283 ≈ 21.9, or about 22 days of work at that minimum. The 108-day route is more likely to help performers whose work falls under contracts with low daily minimums.
Base period, waiting period and benefit period
The plan describes a timeline made of three pieces:
- Base earnings period: four consecutive calendar quarters in which you meet the earnings or days requirement.
- Waiting period: the plan’s FAQ says there is a three-month gap between the base earnings period and the benefit period, because employers need time to report earnings and the plan needs time to process them.
- Benefit period: once you qualify, you become eligible for 12 months of coverage covering you and qualified dependents. If coverage starts at the beginning of a calendar quarter, the benefit period is the 12 months from that date. Otherwise, it begins at the next calendar quarter.
After you meet the requirement, the plan sends a Notice of Qualification. You then receive a Notice of Coverage, with ID cards and the Summary Plan Description, after the plan receives your premium payment.
Premiums are changing in 2027
The plan’s Earned Eligibility page says that beginning January 1, 2027, premiums for Earned Eligibility will change, as adopted by the Board of Trustees on August 27, 2026. The page excerpt we reviewed did not include the new dollar amounts, so check it directly. Be careful with third-party figures: one guide lists quarterly premiums of $375 for a participant, while another says qualifying members pay no premiums. These can’t both be right, and the plan itself says premiums exist, so rely on the plan’s published rates.
How this fits with the rest of the 2026 contract
The new 2026 TV/Theatrical contract raises day and weekly minimums by 3% a year, which also raises how quickly covered earnings accumulate. We cover the pay side in our TV actor pay guide, what happens after a show airs in our residuals explainer, and the audition rules in our casting guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much do you have to earn to get SAG-AFTRA health insurance in 2026?
$28,090 in covered earnings in the base earnings period for 2026 benefit periods, or 108 eligibility days.
Do I need to be a SAG-AFTRA member?
The Plan’s eligibility is based on earnings or days covered by SAG-AFTRA agreements. Check the plan’s page or contact it about membership questions; we have not verified separate membership rules.
How long does coverage last?
A benefit period is 12 months.
Will the threshold change?
Yes. The plan lists $28,933 for 2027, $29,801 for 2028, and $30,695 for 2029.
Is this insurance advice?
No. This is a summary of public plan information. Confirm your own eligibility with the SAG-AFTRA Health Plan.
