Unemployment Insurance

What is Unemployment and Why Does it Matter?

Unemployment Insurance (UI) is the largest social insurance program for working-age Americans. UI is a critical program in our economic toolkit to support our communities when they face hardship in the labor market. UI provides people who have lost work through no fault of their own,the crucial financial support they need to help pay bills, and prevent poverty, when forces out of their control limit their income.

What the People Say

“I think I always worry about money, maybe more than I need to…I’m probably always going to worry about it. And especially now, I really depend on my Social Security. I don’t want it to go away.” – Cecelia

Source: The People Say

9 in 10 Americans say Social Security Disability Insurance would be important to their families income if they became unable to work.

Learn more here.

“I just need for my Social Security to keep coming in, and I will manage. Doctors and transportation have gotten a little better. That’ll be taken away without Social Security… There’s no other income.” – Jackie

Source: The People Say

8 in 10 Americans say Social Security will be important to their monthly income when they retire.

Learn more here.

“My primary source of income is Social Security. I have no 401(k) or that kind of retirement.” –Charles

Source: The People Say

Half of Americans say disability benefits should be higher, not lower.

Learn more here.

Unemployment Insurance by the Numbers

About 2.1 million people file claims for UI benefits per year

Source: Department of Labor

In 2024, just 27 percent of unemployed workers received unemployment insurance.

Source: National Employment Law Project

In 2023, UI benefits replaced about 40 percent of a worker’s lost wages.

Source: National Employment Law Project

Our Work

  • Unemployment Insurance

UI Task Force Final Report

The Academy’s UI Task Force has issued its final report to help policymakers, the media, and the public understand what policy levers exist, how they work, and what the trade-offs are for each one.
  • Event

Recent Federal Layoffs and Unemployment Insurance

On March 26, the National Academy of Social Insurance convened unemployment insurance experts and thought leaders to discuss what recent federal layoffs mean for unemployment insurance systems.
  • Event

Marking 90 Years of Unemployment Insurance

On November 13, the Academy hosted an evening reception at the National Press Club celebrating 90 years of unemployment insurance.
  • Issue Brief

Unemployment Insurance in Crisis

Michele Evermore, Senior Fellow with the Academy, has prepared an Issue Brief on the importance of unemployment insurance during economic downturns and the policy options available to address a recession in the future.
  • Event

Unemployment Insurance Final Report

The Unemployment Insurance Task Force held a webinar on its final report on modernizing the US Unemployment Insurance system.