US, separation date 9/22/25.
My severance pay got credited to my bank account yesterday. I haven't returned the laptop yet 😳 Anyone else get their pay?
Credited amount is ~25% less than severance amount mentioned in the separation agreement. I don't know the deductions, but I know payroll deductions & taxes would be deducted from it.
Last paper payslip I received is for the period ending on 9/5/25.
@nf The maximum unemployment weekly benefit in Colorado is $844
@nf Why don’t you file it?
👮♂ EDD payments in California seem very low. The maximum is only $450 a week, and that amount hasn’t changed in years. Considering the high inflation rates in recent years, the weekly benefit should be closer to $900 a week. Could someone file a complaint or bring this issue to the attention of the California Governor, State Senators, or Assemblymembers for action?
Wondering if they deducted anything for laptop not returned yet.
Only 25% less -- that actually is pretty good. Generally this is handled as supplemental income and taxed at a much higher tax rate.
@ar I think all major employers make you sign to get severance. Even the unicorn "nice ones" do.
@an Oracle requires ex-employees to sign a release agreement as condition to receive the severance payment.
@ak If you receive severance, many state unemployment agencies will not allow you to begin collecting benefits until the severance period has ended. There is one key exception: if your severance required signing a Release of Claims (an agreement not to sue your employer), then it is not technically considered severance - it’s treated instead as compensation in exchange for giving up the right to sue. That’s why some states specifically ask whether your severance required signing a release of claims.
@ab And 20% is withheld for Federal income tax. Social security and Medicare tax withheld too (unless you already hit the SS cap). State tax withheld will depend on the state.
Unemployment is a strange beast, it takes 4-5 weeks before you'll receive your first payment and you have to check in every week, even before your benefits are approved. Perhaps they do this hoping you will have found a new job by then and not get any money from UE?
One thing that was interesting is that they ask you if you had to sign agreement to get severance. Not sure what the implications are if you do, and they don't tell you.
@a6 You can log your EDD claim the day after the termination date. Don't delay as it's not retroactive. Severance is paid as a lump sum.
Is severance a lump sum or in installments?
How soon can you collect unemployment?