Some basic questions and answers regarding the Health and Retirement plans in connection with a New Union. Basic is the operative word.  If you have more detailed questions, email them to newunionquestions@aftra.com.  Or call the plan itself.  But here are a couple basic Q&As that might be helpful. And remember, the plans are separate entities from the union.  The union has no control over the plans, the plans have no control over the union.  The plans are run by a board of trustees, half of whom come from industry, the other half come from us, nominated and elected by the National Board of AFTRA.  That said... Q: If the unions join together and I currently have two pensions, will I loose one of my pensions? A. No. No. A thousand times no.  Your pension is your pension, regardless of what the union does or does not do.  Q. Will my benefit shrink as a result of the unions joining? A. No. No. A thousand times no.  The benefit you have earned is your benefit and can not be reduced.  That is federal law. Q. If the unions join, will there still be two plans? A. There certainly will during any transition period after a successful vote.  And that transition period could last for a year or more. But the unions must make their choice before the plans will make any changes. We would expect that eventually there would be one plan for health and one plan for retirement with all earnings going toward a single set of benefits.  Q. Will I get fewer benefits as a result of the unions joining? A. One thing is certain: no matter what happens with the unions, the cost of your health care will rise, your benefits will be squeezed as a result and your cost to retire will increase. Welcome to America. Given the legal state of health care reform, the rising cost of medical care and the unknown economics of combining two member populations, it is impossible to know how that will effect available benefits.  There certainly will be cost savings to running a single plan instead of two plans with two offices and two staffs, etc. Q. I'm not voting for any kind of 'new union' until I know what the plans are going to do.  That's not a question.  A. OK.  Your choice.  But remember this: there is no status quo to keep here.  We need successful contracts to keep money flowing into the funds.  Benefits from the plans of weak unions will deteriorate faster.  And staying separate is a guarantee we will not be able to keep up with the pace of change in our industry.  .