Can I Claim Unemployment Benefits If I Have a Pension?

The short answer to this question is yes, you can claim unemployment benefits while receiving a pension. However, unemployment can significantly impact pension benefits, creating a complex relationship between the retirement account and the financial support system. If you receive any pension payments where a base period employer made the primary contributions, you will see a dollar-for-dollar reduction in your unemployment benefits. This is also the case even if you partially contributed to your pension, meaning you will still see the 100% dollar match in reduction on your unemployment benefits. However, in cases where you were the sole contributor to your pension plan, your unemployment benefits should not be impacted.

It is important to note that while pension benefits can impact your take-home amount from unemployment benefits, you may still qualify for unemployment benefits even if you are retired from a job and receiving pension payments if you are actively looking for a job.