Can Social Security survivor benefits be garnished for debt?

MoneyWatch: Managing Your Money Can Social Security survivor benefits be garnished for debt? 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 May 19, 2026 / 11:59 AM EDT / CBS News Add CBS News on Google The rules regarding Social Security survivor benefits and debt collection are more nuanced than you may expect. Imagesbybarbara/Getty Images When a loved one dies, the financial fallout can extend far beyond funeral costs and estate issues. In turn, Social Security survivor benefits often become an important income source for surviving spouses and dependents — one that helps cover everything from housing and grocery costs to healthcare and utility bills. The problem is that the average survivor benefit is currently just $1,574 per month, leaving little room in the budget for extra expenses. All it takes is one unexpected medical bill or costly car repair to cause major issues, particularly for those who are carrying high-rate debt and rely heavily on this money to get by.And, there are a lot of people in that situation right now. Not only are Americans carrying record amounts of credit card debt currently, but more borrowers are falling behind on monthly payments due to persistently high interest rates and inflation-driven budget strain. At the same time, collection lawsuits, wage garnishments and bank levies have become increasingly common tools for creditors to use when recovering unpaid balances. When you'...