![](/uploadedimages/news_and_events/connect/connect-banner-729.png)
New MBA Improvements In Effect
May 2, 2021 marked the beginning of the second year of the MBA, and with that comes some key rate increases and improvements writers should be aware of.
(5/7/2021)
- Most MBA minimums increase 2.5%—To continue to protect the health of our pension plan, the Guild elected to divert 0.5% from minimums to increased pension funding. Find Second Period rates in the Schedule of Minimums.
- Span rules change—For contracts entered into on or after May 2, 2021, only a writer-producer’s episodic fee may be used to determine if the writer is under the earnings cap for span protection ($400,000, or $375,000 for basic cable). Check out the Span Guide to learn more.
- Options & Exclusivity earnings cap increases—For contracts entered into on or after May 2, 2021, the earnings cap under which writers are protected by Options & Exclusivity increases from $280,500 to $325,000. Check out the Options & Exclusivity Guide to learn more.
- Paid Parental Leave benefit becomes available—Eligible writers will receive $2,000 per week, for up to eight weeks, for leave taken within one year of the birth, adoption, or placement of a child. See the Health Fund’s PPL Guide for details.