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Sanders Announces Bill to Block Social Security Garnishment

8/20/2026

Center

Sanders Stops Garnishment

Senator Bernie Sanders announced the Stop Social Security Garnishment Act, to be introduced on Sept. 14, 2026.
The Education Department has paused wage garnishment and Treasury offsets while new repayment plans are implemented.
The act would permanently bar Treasury offsets and Education Department garnishment of Social Security benefits.
Law allows up to 15 % of Social Security payments to be withheld for defaulted loans.

Left

Sanders Blocks Garnishment

Senator Bernie Sanders announced a bill to stop garnishment of Social Security benefits for defaulted student loans, set for introduction on Sept. 14, 2026.
The proposal is framed as protecting seniors and disabled Americans from losing benefits amid rising healthcare, prescription drug, and housing costs.
Delinquency rose to 10.6 % Q2, up from 10.3 % Q1, per Reserve Bank of New York.
Borrowers owe $2 trillion in loans, $233 billion in default, per Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.

History

Historical Context

1972 legislation raised average Social Security payments from $133 to $166 and expanded Treasury authority over benefit disbursements, a shift that later allowed offsets of benefits for delinquent debts. Decades of such collections prompted Senator Bernie Sanders’ 2026 Stop Social Security Garnishment Act, which seeks to bar Treasury and Education Department garnishment of benefits for student loans.

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Sanders Stops Garnishment

Senator Bernie Sanders announced the Stop Social Security Garnishment Act, to be introduced on Sept. 14, 2026.
The Education Department has paused wage garnishment and Treasury offsets while new repayment plans are implemented.
The act would permanently bar Treasury offsets and Education Department garnishment of Social Security benefits.
Law allows up to 15 % of Social Security payments to be withheld for defaulted loans.

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