Can the government garnish your Social Security check for student loans? This is the maximum amount

Many people struggling in today’s economy who have student loan debt and receive Social Security benefits wonder if they should worry that those could be garnished if they cannot make timely repayments. While Social Security benefits are largely exempt from garnishment by private debt collectors, certain legal obligations like federal student debt are not.

Through the Treasury Offset Program, Social Security benefits, except for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), can be garnished up to a certain amount to collect on defaulted federal student loan debt as well as certain other financial obligations like other non-tax debt owed to a federal agency and back taxes, in addition to court-ordered restitution for child support, alimony, or to a crime victim.

The maximum amount that can be garnished to repay defaulted federal student loans

Social Security beneficiaries who are in default on their federal student loans could have their benefits garnished, including while in retirement. The amount is up to 15% of your benefits but your monthly payment cannot fall below $750.

“If you disagree with the garnishment, contact an attorney or representative... not Social Security,” advises the SSA. You can have your questions answered about any levy for a non-tax debt by contacting Treasury at 1-800-304-3107.

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