u/ComprehensiveBus9295

I worked as a child actor from ages 8–14 and still get small residual checks today. I’m now an adult, and recently my parents told me there were delinquent dues on my SAG-AFTRA account that had built up over about five years (something I hadn’t been aware of).

After paying those off, I was finally able to access my account and see my cumulative earnings from that time. I was honestly surprised by how high the total was.

That led me to go back through old bank statements, and I realized that roughly 94% of those earnings had been spent before I ever had access to my own bank account. About 15% (as per the Coogan Act) was set aside in a Coogan savings account I couldn’t touch until I turned 18, which I didn’t access until after college.

Now I’m trying to figure out how to feel about all of this. I understand that a portion of the money likely went toward my career (acting classes, transportation to gigs and auditions, etc.) but it doesn’t seem like those expenses would come close to what was spent. And as I navigate supporting myself with my job, rent, and student loans - it's frustrating to think that I could've felt a lot more secure if that money had been saved or invested.

I have a good relationship with them and don’t want to blow anything up - I’m really just looking for clarity and if it's worth a conversation. Any advice on approaching a conversation with my parents about this topic?

Any insight or guidance would really help.

Location: Los Angeles, CA

**UPDATE: Thank you to everyone who responded, I appreciate your insights. After speaking with a union representative that specializes in Coogan, I learned that because my bank account was managed by my parents (as I was a minor), any of my deposits outside of what was distributed to my Coogan account could be withdrawn by them. Therefore, legally, they could withdraw money.

I don't take for granted the sacrifices that were made by my parents to pursue this career at the time, but still seek clarity on why this money wasn't saved or where it was going to. Therefore, I'll move this post over to another thread for insight there. Thanks again!

I worked as a child actor from ages 8–14 and still get small residual checks today. I’m now an adult, and recently my parents told me there were delinquent dues on my SAG-AFTRA account that had built up over about five years (something I hadn’t been aware of).

After paying those off, I was finally able to access my account and see my cumulative earnings from that time. I was honestly surprised by how high the total was.

That led me to go back through old bank statements, and I realized that roughly 94% of those earnings had been spent before I ever had access to my own bank account. About 15% (as per the Coogan Act) was set aside in a Coogan savings account I couldn’t touch until I turned 18, which I didn’t access until after college.

Now I’m trying to figure out how to feel about all of this. I understand that some of the money likely went toward my career (acting classes, transportation to gigs and auditions, etc.) but it doesn’t seem like those expenses would come close to what was spent.

From what I’ve read, California law generally says that a child performer’s earnings belong to the child. So I’m wondering what legal protections actually exist in a situation like this, and what I should realistically expect or ask for when I talk to my parents about it.

I have a good relationship with them and don’t want to blow anything up - I’m really just looking for clarity and to know what my options are.

Any insight or guidance would really help.

Location: Los Angeles, CA