Do I need to report Social Security retirement benefits to EDD while collecting unemployment?

Yes, your dad MUST report Social Security retirement benefits when certifying for UI benefits with EDD. However, Social Security retirement is NOT deducted from UI benefits in California. He should report it in the section asking about "pension, retirement, or annuity payments" when he certifies every two weeks. Make sure he specifies it's Social Security retirement so EDD doesn't mistakenly deduct it. The important thing is to be transparent - not reporting it could trigger an overpayment situation later.

my mom went thru this last yr & had the same worry. just report it when u certify and ur fine. social security doesnt affect unemployment but u still gotta tell them about it

To be 100% clear: Social Security retirement benefits need to be reported but don't reduce your UI benefits in California. However, employer pensions CAN reduce your benefits if they're from a base period employer. Your dad should make sure he's selecting the correct type when reporting. He needs to report the gross amount before any deductions. When he certifies, there's a specific question about receiving pension/retirement income. He answers YES, enters the amount, and specifies it's Social Security retirement. I also recommend he keeps screenshots or printouts of his certifications as proof he properly reported everything in case there's ever a question later. Better safe than sorry!

When I was dealing with this exact situation I got so frustrated trying to get a clear answer from EDD! Called 78 times in one day and couldn't get through!! Finally used Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through to a rep who confirmed that Social Security retirement benefits must be reported but don't reduce your UI benefits. Their video demo shows how it works: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km - saved me hours of redial hell.

Yes it's legitimate - they just connect you with EDD faster. Was skeptical myself but it works. Better than trying to call hundreds of times.

I had the WORST experience with this last year because I didn't report my retirement properly!!! Got hit with a $4,800 overpayment notice and had to go through appeals!!! EDD's system is SO CONFUSING because the certification questions aren't clear about what counts as income!!! Tell your dad to DEFINITELY report the Social Security during certification and be VERY SPECIFIC that it's SS retirement. The system might ask follow-up questions about who paid into it - make sure he answers all those correctly!!!

wait im confused now. do benefits get reduced or not? i thought any income reduces ur unemployment?

Thank you all SO much for the helpful information! I'm going to sit down with my dad tonight and help him understand exactly how to report his Social Security retirement during certification. It's a huge relief to know it won't reduce his benefits but also that he definitely needs to report it to avoid problems later. Will definitely have him keep documentation of everything too!