Can Your Social Security Payments Be Garnished Due to Unpaid Debts?

Core Insights - Social Security beneficiaries on a fixed income may face difficulties affording necessities if their payments are interrupted [4] Group 1: Garnishment of Benefits - Missing child support payments, unpaid taxes, or government debt can prevent beneficiaries from receiving the full amount of their Social Security check [2] - Wage garnishment occurs when earnings are withheld due to unpaid debts or missed payments [2] - Social Security benefits cannot be garnished for non-federal debts, such as unpaid credit card debt [3] Group 2: Conditions for Garnishment - Federal government can reduce Social Security retirement and disability benefits for missed child support payments, unpaid taxes, or overpayments [5] - The IRS can garnish up to 15% of monthly Social Security payments for tax debts [6] - Benefits can also be garnished by up to 15% for other non-tax debts owed to the U.S. government [6] Group 3: Student Loans and Garnishment - The Treasury Department can withhold up to 15% of payments for defaulted federal student loans, but future garnishments for unpaid student loans have been paused [7] Group 4: Managing Garnishments - Beneficiaries can take steps to lower or delay garnishments, such as contacting the IRS to pay the full balance, signing up for a payment plan, or requesting a temporary delay in tax collection [9]