Can you get unemployment if you retire from your job in New York?

Unfortunately, voluntary retirement typically disqualifies you from unemployment benefits in New York. NYS Department of Labor considers retirement a voluntary separation from employment, which means you left work by choice rather than due to circumstances beyond your control. However, there are some nuanced situations - if you were forced into early retirement due to company restructuring or health issues, that might be different.

You generally cannot collect UI benefits if you voluntarily retire. The key requirement for unemployment is that you must be able and available for work, actively seeking employment. If you're retiring, you're essentially stating you don't want to work anymore. NYS Department of Labor is pretty strict about this - they'll ask during your weekly claims if you're ready and willing to accept suitable work.

wait i'm confused... my friend retired and got unemployment for like 6 months?? maybe she lied on her application or something because this doesn't sound right

I had a similar situation trying to reach NYS Department of Labor about this exact question last year. Spent hours on hold and kept getting disconnected. Finally used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that actually got me through to a real person at the unemployment office. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. The agent confirmed that voluntary retirement disqualifies you, but they also explained some exceptions I didn't know about.

The unemployment system is so frustrating! They make it impossible for people who've worked their whole lives to get any help during transitions. I bet if you were some young person who just quit randomly you'd get benefits no problem, but someone who's earned retirement gets nothing.

Have you looked into COBRA or other bridge options? Might be worth talking to a financial planner about alternatives since unemployment probably won't work out.

I went through something similar a few years ago. The key thing to understand is that NYS Department of Labor looks at your intent and availability for work. If you're truly retiring and not planning to seek new employment, you won't qualify. However, if your company is downsizing or offering buyouts and you're willing to work elsewhere, that might be treated differently than a traditional retirement. I'd suggest calling the unemployment office directly to discuss your specific situation - they can give you a definitive answer based on your circumstances. Also consider looking into partial retirement options with your current employer or exploring contract/part-time work to bridge the gap until your pension kicks in.

I've been through a similar transition and wanted to share what I learned. The distinction between "retirement" and "layoff with retirement eligibility" can be crucial here. If your company is restructuring or offering voluntary separation packages (even if they call it "early retirement"), you might have a case - especially if you can demonstrate you're still willing and able to work elsewhere. The key is how you frame it when applying. Document everything about your company's situation and be prepared to show you're actively job searching if you do apply. Also, consider that even if you don't qualify initially, you can appeal decisions. I'd recommend consulting with an employment attorney who specializes in unemployment cases - many offer free consultations and can review your specific circumstances. Don't give up without exploring all options, especially since you've contributed to the system for 15 years.