Sanders Introduces Bill to Stop Social Security Garnishment for Student Loan Defaulters

On Tuesday, Senator Bernie Sanders introduced the Stop Social Security Garnishment Act, a bill that would prevent the federal government from taking Social Security or Social Security Disability Insurance benefits to satisfy defaulted federal student loans. The legislation, backed by Senators Elizabeth Warren, Ed Markey, Ron Wyden and six additional Democratic lawmakers, seeks to protect older adults and disabled borrowers who depend on these payments for health care, medication and food.

Approximately nine million Americans are currently in student-loan default, and more than a third of Social Security recipients with debt rely on benefits for living expenses. Advocates, including financial-literacy instructor Alex Beene, say the bill draws a clear line between debt collection and retirement security, while some lawmakers worry it could be viewed as a step toward broader loan forgiveness. Endorsing groups such as the American Federation of Teachers and the National Consumer Law Center have voiced support. The bill now moves to committee consideration and must secure bipartisan votes in a Congress where Republicans control both chambers and the White House, making its passage uncertain.