Can I collect NYS Department of Labor unemployment when I retire from my job?
I'm planning to retire from my job next year but I'm worried about the gap between when I stop working and when my social security kicks in. Can I file for unemployment benefits with NYS Department of Labor if I voluntarily retire? I've been working for 35 years and paying into the system so I'm hoping there's some way to get benefits during this transition period. Has anyone been in this situation before?
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Zainab Abdulrahman
Unfortunately, you generally cannot collect unemployment benefits if you voluntarily retire. NYS Department of Labor requires that you be unemployed through no fault of your own and that you're actively seeking work. Retirement typically means you're not looking for new employment, which disqualifies you from UI benefits.
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Miguel Castro
•That's what I was afraid of. So even though I paid into the system for decades, retiring voluntarily means I can't get any benefits?
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Connor Byrne
There might be some exceptions depending on your specific situation. If your employer is forcing early retirement or eliminating your position, that could be considered involuntary separation. You'd need to be able and available for work though, and actively job searching to maintain eligibility.
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Miguel Castro
•My company isn't forcing me out, I just want to retire. Sounds like I need to plan my finances differently then.
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Yara Elias
my dad tried this when he retired and NYS Department of Labor denied his claim immediately because he said he was retiring on his application, they told him retirement and unemployment are mutually exclusive
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QuantumQuasar
If you're having trouble getting through to NYS Department of Labor to ask about your specific situation, I used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me reach an actual agent when I couldn't get through on my own. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Might be worth checking out to get a definitive answer for your circumstances.
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Miguel Castro
•Thanks, I'll look into that. I want to make sure I understand all my options before I make any final decisions.
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Keisha Jackson
The whole system is so confusing! Why should it matter if someone retires vs gets laid off if they paid into unemployment insurance their whole career?? It seems unfair that voluntary retirement disqualifies you completely.
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Zainab Abdulrahman
•The program is designed as insurance for involuntary job loss, not as a retirement benefit. That's why there are job search requirements - it's meant to support people actively looking for work.
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Paolo Moretti
just agreeing with others here - retirement = no unemployment benefits, that's been the rule forever
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Harmony Love
Have you considered looking into COBRA health insurance continuation and maybe doing some part-time consulting work instead of full retirement? That way you could potentially bridge the gap until social security without needing unemployment benefits. Also, depending on your age, you might want to check if you qualify for any early retirement programs through your current employer that could provide some income continuity.
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