3 Social Security wage garnishment rules retirees should know now

MoneyWatch: Managing Your Money 3 Social Security wage garnishment rules retirees should know now We may receive commissions from some links to products on this page. Promotions are subject to availability and retailer terms. .chip { background-image: url('/fly/bundles/cbsnewscore/images/chip-bgd/chip-bgd-moneywatch.jpg'); } By Angelica Leicht Angelica Leicht Senior Editor, Managing Your Money Angelica Leicht is the senior editor for the Managing Your Money section for CBSNews.com, where she writes and edits articles on a range of personal finance topics. Angelica previously held editing roles at The Simple Dollar, Interest, HousingWire and other financial publications. Read Full Bio Angelica Leicht June 9, 2026 / 12:14 PM EDT / CBS News Add CBS News on Google Social Security receives broad protections, but that doesn't mean it's immune to every type of garnishment. Creativ Studio Heinemann/Getty Images A growing number of Americans are entering retirement with a financial picture that looks very different from previous generations. The economic landscape has shifted dramatically, after all, with rising inflation causing the cost of everything from gas to groceries and housing to skyrocket as borrowing costs remain high. So, rather than carrying a mortgage-free home and little or no debt, many retirees are now trying to juggle credit card balances, personal loans, tax obligations and other financial commitments well into their 60s and 70s.The problem is, though, that collection activity doesn't necessarily stop once someone leaves the workforce, so retirees who fall behind on their debts are still likely to face at least some fallout. Creditors can pursue unpaid debts, after all, and courts can still issue judgments against you, even in retirement. Government agencies can also continue to seek repayment for certain obligations. That, in turn, makes it important to understand the income protections in place during retirement, particularly when it comes to Social Secu...