Since I’m diving into new 401(k) enrollment meetings, here are seven human frailties that impede our ability to make good decisions generally … and especially about money. 1. Connecting Correlation with Causation. 2. Confusing Luck and Skill. 3. We *love* shiny objects. We *love* shiny objects … often to our detriment. 4. We’re lousy at…

The Animation Guild completed negotiations for the new 2015-2018 contract on July 1st. Below are highlights of the new agreement (which boils down the more lengthy Memorandum of Agreement). … Q: There’s a lot of legal mumbo-jumbo in the included “Memorandum of Agreement.” Can you give me the highlights? A: Here you go. WAGES: Minimum…

The annual Wage Survey has been opened and we are requesting all members participate. This is one of the most important things your Union does. The Wage Survey gives the Union a snapshot of the state of the industry. But more importantly it helps you, the member, when you are seeking employment. The more you…

The Animation Guild reached agreement with the AMPTP at 11:00 p.m. on a new, three-year agreement that will run from August 1st, 2015 to July 31st, 2018. The deal follows the contours of the 2015 IATSE Basic Agreement, which includes: * 3% increases to contract wage minimums (compounded). * Unchanged Health Benefits (no increases to…

* Featured Post Artwork from Carol Simpson At the end of June, the Animation Guild will sit down with the major animation studios and negotiate a new three-year contract. The guild’s negotiation committee will meet in early June to go over proposals, but it’s important to know what the IA (our mother international) negotiated for…

The Animation Guild 401(k) Plan is celebrating its 20th birthday, and has reached robust adulthood. The stats: * Total Plan assets: $235,742,099 * Average balance: $93,585 * Total contributions in 2014: $7,715,289 * Total number of Plan participants: 2,519 * 88% of assets reside in Target Date Funds. The TAG 401(k) Plan offers participants over…

On July 10, 11 and 12, the Animation Guild will participate in the IATSE District 2 Convention in Honolulu, Hawaii. If you wish to be considered for one of the limited number of Local 839 delegate positions you must be an active member in good standing and you must email us by April 17th, 2015….

At last night’s General Membership meeting, there was lengthy discussion about ways to find jobs in the animation business. Some bullet points: * Have a portfolio on-line in various formats: quick time, single frame, etc. Show a variety of styles, and most recent work up top. * The Animation Guild offers “Member Profile” pages (which…

401(k) enrollment time again, so here’s your new motivator: According to the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College, the average retirement savings for households nearing retirement — those with head of households aged 55-64—is about $110,000. That means more than half of today’s households won’t have enough retirement income to maintain their pre-retirement standard…

The bidding war for movies and television work continues. UK Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne today unveiled improved incentives for the film, TV and videogame business as he delivered his final budget before the country’s general election May 7. The government has increased the rate of film tax relief to 25% for all qualifying…

The Vanguard Target Date Funds, which most Animation Guild 401(k) participants are using, will be changing their investment lineups in coming months. Right now, the Target Date Funds stock allocations are invested 70% in Total U.S. Stock Market and 30% in International Stocks. By the end of 2015, that will change to 60% U.S. stocks…

One of the really hard workers in animation, and really good guys, passed away early this morning. Gordon Kent succumbed in the fight for his life at 2:00 A.M., after a long, heroic struggle. He was surrounded by his loving wife and soulmate, Donna, his sister Vickie, and her husband Jim. Gordon jumped into animation…