Does collecting Washington ESD unemployment affect your social security benefits?

No, unemployment benefits from Washington ESD don't affect your Social Security retirement benefits at all. They're completely separate systems - unemployment is administered by the state and Social Security is federal. Your unemployment payments won't reduce your future Social Security benefits.

I went through this exact situation 3 years ago when I was 61. Filed for Washington ESD benefits after my company downsized, collected for about 6 months, then found another job. When I applied for Social Security at 65, there were no issues whatsoever. The unemployment didn't show up anywhere on my SS records.

Just to clarify one thing - if you're already collecting Social Security retirement benefits (not just planning to), then working and earning unemployment could potentially affect those current benefits due to the earnings test. But since you're not collecting SS yet, this doesn't apply to you.

Actually had trouble getting through to Washington ESD to ask about this exact question a few months ago. Kept calling and either got busy signals or hung up on after waiting forever. Finally used this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to an actual person at ESD who confirmed what everyone here is saying - no impact on Social Security. They have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works.

Wait I'm confused - are we talking about Social Security retirement or Social Security disability? Because I thought there might be different rules for disability benefits?

The only thing to keep in mind is that unemployment benefits ARE taxable income, so you'll need to report them on your tax return. But again, this doesn't affect your Social Security benefit calculation.

Just file for your unemployment benefits! You paid into the system through your payroll taxes, so you're entitled to collect when you're laid off. Don't let unfounded worries about Social Security stop you from getting help you need right now.

I think there might be some confusion because if you're working while collecting unemployment (like part-time work), those earnings could potentially affect Social Security if you're already collecting it. But pure unemployment benefits without any work income don't interact with SS at all.

FYI - your Social Security benefits are calculated based on your highest 35 years of earnings. Since you've worked 35 years already, unemployment won't hurt that calculation even if it somehow counted (which it doesn't).

omg I was worried about this same thing when I got laid off last year!! turns out it was nothing to worry about at all

The Washington ESD website has some info about this too, but honestly their site is kind of hard to navigate. The main thing is just that unemployment and Social Security are totally separate benefit systems.

Your neighbor was probably thinking of some other benefit program. People mix up different government benefits all the time. Unemployment and Social Security definitely don't affect each other.

Been collecting unemployment for 8 weeks now and just checked my Social Security statement online - nothing has changed about my projected benefits. They're completely separate like everyone said.

I remember my dad being worried about this same thing back in the 90s when he got laid off before retirement. Turned out to be no issue then either - seems like this is a persistent myth that worries people unnecessarily.

The only potential issue I can think of is if you're planning to work part-time while collecting unemployment AND you're already collecting Social Security - then the work earnings could matter. But that's a very specific situation.

File your claim ASAP! The sooner you file, the sooner you can start receiving benefits. And don't worry about the Social Security thing - it's not an issue at all.

Just want to add that even though unemployment doesn't affect Social Security, you still need to look for work while collecting UI benefits. Washington ESD has job search requirements you need to meet.

Bottom line - unemployment benefits and Social Security are completely separate. File for your UI benefits with confidence, and don't let this worry keep you from getting the help you need while you're looking for work.

Had the same concern when I was 63 and got laid off. Talked to someone at Social Security directly and they confirmed zero interaction between the two programs. Your future SS benefits are safe!