Does unemployment count towards social security credits - confused about NYS Department of Labor benefits
I've been collecting unemployment benefits through NYS Department of Labor for about 6 months now and just realized I might not be earning social security credits during this time. I'm 58 and was planning to work until 65 but got laid off from my manufacturing job. Does anyone know if the unemployment payments I'm getting count toward my social security work history? I'm worried about how this gap will affect my retirement benefits. Should I be concerned about losing quarters of coverage?
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Roger Romero
Unfortunately unemployment benefits don't count toward social security earnings. Social security credits come from wages where FICA taxes are deducted, and NYS Department of Labor unemployment payments aren't subject to those taxes. You need $1,640 in covered earnings for each quarter of coverage in 2025. The good news is you only need 40 quarters total for retirement benefits, so a temporary gap shouldn't hurt you if you've been working steadily before this.
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Danielle Mays
•Oh no, that's what I was afraid of. I've been working for 35 years so I should have way more than 40 quarters already. Thanks for the clear explanation about the FICA taxes - that makes sense now.
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Anna Kerber
wait i thought all income counted for social security?? this is confusing
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Roger Romero
•No, only earnings where you pay FICA taxes count. Unemployment, disability payments, workers comp - none of those add to your social security record even though they're income.
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Niko Ramsey
You can check your social security earnings record online at ssa.gov to see exactly how many quarters you have. Since you're 58 and have been working 35 years, you're almost certainly well above the 40 quarters needed. The unemployment gap won't affect your eligibility, though it might slightly lower your benefit calculation since that's based on your highest 35 years of earnings.
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Danielle Mays
•That's really helpful! I'll check my earnings record this weekend. I never thought about how the benefit calculation works with the highest 35 years.
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Seraphina Delan
I'm dealing with something similar but having trouble getting through to NYS Department of Labor to ask questions about my claim status. Has anyone had luck reaching them recently? The phone lines are always busy and my online account isn't showing updated information.
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Jabari-Jo
•I had the same problem until I found this service called Claimyr that helps you get through to NYS Department of Labor agents. Check out claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. It was way easier than spending hours on hold trying to reach someone myself.
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Seraphina Delan
•Thanks! I'll definitely check that out. I've been trying to call for weeks with no luck.
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Kristin Frank
This whole system is so frustrating! Why don't they explain this stuff when you file for unemployment? I've been stressed about the same thing and now I find out I was worrying for nothing since I already have enough quarters.
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Micah Trail
•totally agree, they should include this info in the NYS Department of Labor materials when you first apply
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Sophia Carson
I went through this exact worry when I was laid off from my construction job last year. Like others mentioned, you can create an account at ssa.gov and view your complete earnings history - it shows every year you worked and how much you earned. Since you've been working 35 years, you definitely have the 40 quarters needed. The unemployment gap won't hurt your eligibility at all, just might slightly reduce the final benefit amount since it's calculated on your highest earning years. Don't stress too much about it - you're in good shape for retirement!
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