Does receiving Social Security benefits make you judgment-proof?

MoneyWatch: Managing Your Money Does receiving Social Security benefits make you judgment-proof? 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 5, 2026 / 12:31 PM EDT / CBS News Add CBS News on Google Living on Social Security leaves creditors with little room to collect, but does that mean you're fully judgment-proof? Sakchai Vongsasiripat/Getty Images Social Security benefits are a crucial part of the budget each month for millions of Americans, providing a steady source of income in retirement and during periods of disability. But when debt problems arise, that monthly benefit payment can also become a source of confusion. After all, most beneficiaries have heard, at least in passing, that Social Security income is protected from creditors, leading some to believe they're effectively immune from collection efforts altogether.At the same time, today's rapidly rising costs and record-high debt levels have left many older Americans and retirees carrying balances on credit cards, personal loans and medical bills well into their later years. As those debts become harder to manage, concerns about lawsuits and subsequent garnishments or frozen bank accounts often follow. And, for someone living primarily on Social Security, the prospect of creditor action can be especially unsettling.That's why the concept of being judgment-proof has gained attention. That term frequently arises in conversations about debt colle...