| Question: I am currently 65 years old. My question | | | | retirement benefits. At present, only Louisiana and |
| is, can I apply and get Social Security benefits as | | | | Illinois offset unemployment benefits with Social |
| well as Unemployment Compensation? Some | | | | Security retirement benefits. South Dakota has |
| people say you can't, but others say you can. | | | | changed its law, but the law has not yet been |
| What is the right answer? I live in Massachusetts. | | | | enacted so if you live in South Dakota, check with |
| Answer: I have received questions whether or | | | | your state unemployment agency on when this |
| not a person can collect Social Security ("SS") | | | | will take affect. |
| retirement benefits and unemployment benefits at | | | | The original federal law was enacted at a time |
| the same time. Many people think you cannot do | | | | when people retired at a much younger age and |
| this. | | | | those who were still working and who could claim |
| The concept that you cannot collect both benefits | | | | unemployment were a minority. As our population |
| at the same time comes from past history when | | | | has aged and we are working well past the age |
| indeed, you could not collect both. SS is a federal | | | | for collecting SS, this had to change and thank |
| program and unemployment compensation is a | | | | goodness it has in most states. |
| state program. Years ago, a federal law required | | | | So if you live in Louisiana, Illinois, and possibly |
| states to offset unemployment benefits by part | | | | South Dakota, your unemployment benefits will |
| or all of the Social Security that a person was | | | | be reduced by fifty percent of your Social |
| receiving. Fortunately, the federal law was | | | | Security benefits. However, anything is better |
| changed to allow individual states to make the | | | | than nothing so go ahead and file for your |
| decision how this offset is handled. | | | | unemployment. In all other states, you will get |
| Most states changed the state law to allow full | | | | your full unemployment benefits. |
| retirement benefits with no offset due to SS | | | | |