Can you collect unemployment if you are retired - NYS Department of Labor eligibility question

Thanks for the info! So even though I chose to retire, if I'm now actively looking for work and available, I might still be eligible? I definitely meet the work history requirements since I worked for decades.

That's not necessarily true. NYS Department of Labor evaluates each case individually. If someone retired but then becomes available and actively seeking work again, they can potentially qualify. The 'voluntary leaving' rules are more about people who quit to avoid work, not people who retired but later decided they want to return to the workforce.

I had the same problem trying to reach someone at NYS Department of Labor about my adjudication issues. Someone on here mentioned using claimyr.com to get through to an actual agent - apparently they have some system that helps you skip the phone queue. There's a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. I haven't tried it yet but might be worth checking out if you need to speak to someone about your specific retirement situation.

In New York, receiving Social Security retirement benefits doesn't disqualify you from unemployment benefits. However, if you're receiving a pension from your former employer, that might affect your weekly benefit amount. NYS Department of Labor will ask about all income sources during the application process.

I am getting Social Security but no pension from my company. Good to know that won't automatically disqualify me. I think I'll apply and see what happens during the adjudication process.

That's really helpful advice about how to frame it during the application process! I think you're right that focusing on being available and actively seeking work rather than the "retirement" label is key. Did you have any issues during the adjudication process, or was it pretty straightforward once you explained your situation? I'm hoping my long work history will help too.

@Kristin Frank This is exactly what I needed to hear! Your experience gives me hope that it s'possible. When you say you explained that your employment ended - did you mention retirement at all during the application, or did you completely avoid using that term? I m'worried about being dishonest but also don t'want to hurt my chances by using the wrong language. How long did your adjudication process take?

@Kristin Frank Thanks for sharing your experience! I m'in a very similar situation - officially retired but realizing I need to get back to work. Your point about framing it as employment "ended rather" than focusing on retirement makes a lot of sense. Did you have to provide any documentation about why your employment ended, or were they satisfied with your explanation during the phone interview? I m'also curious if you faced any challenges with the job search requirements given your age - some employers seem hesitant to hire older workers, which makes me wonder how NYS Department of Labor views that aspect of availability for work.

@Kristin Frank This is so encouraging to hear! I m'62 and in a somewhat similar boat - took an early retirement package but now realize I need to work again. Your advice about focusing on availability rather than the retirement aspect is spot on. I m'curious - when you were doing your weekly certifications, did you run into any issues with the work search requirements? I m'worried about having to prove I m'genuinely looking for work when some employers might see my age or recent retirement as red flags. Also, did NYS Department of Labor ask for any documentation from your former employer about your separation, or was your explanation during the phone interview sufficient?

@Kristin Frank This is really valuable insight! I m'in a similar situation - 64 and took what I thought was permanent retirement but circumstances have changed. Your approach of emphasizing current availability rather than past retirement status makes perfect sense. I m'wondering about the practical side of things - when you were meeting the work search requirements, did you find that employers were receptive to hiring someone who had recently been retired? I m'concerned about potential age discrimination making it harder to demonstrate genuine job search efforts to NYS Department of Labor. Also, did they require any specific documentation from your former employer about your separation, or was your verbal explanation during the adjudication interview sufficient?

@Debra Bai I m'so sorry to hear about your medical bills - that s'exactly the kind of unexpected expense that can turn retirement plans upside down. Your advice about being honest during the process is really important. I think you re'right that the key is demonstrating current availability rather than getting hung up on the retirement label. Have you started the application process yet, or are you still in the research phase? I m'leaning toward just applying and seeing what happens during adjudication. Even if they initially deny it, there s'always the appeal process. Please keep us updated on your experience too - it sounds like there are several of us in similar boats!

@Abigail bergen This is incredibly helpful - thank you for sharing your experience! It s'so reassuring to hear from someone who actually went through this process successfully. Your point about focusing on current employment status rather than dwelling on the retirement aspect is excellent advice. I m'curious about one thing - when you were doing your weekly job search activities, did you find that your age or previous retirement created any challenges with employers? I m'wondering if NYS Department of Labor takes into account potential age discrimination when evaluating whether someone is genuinely available for work. Also, did they require any documentation from your former employer during the adjudication process? I m'planning to apply next week and want to be prepared for any questions they might ask.