The National Committee endorses the "Protection of Social Security Benefits Restoration Act" (S. 1649), introduced by Senator Ron Wyden (OR), which would prevent the federal government from garnishing Social Security benefits for the purpose of collecting debts that all too often were incurred years, even decades ago.

Since the inception of the Social Security program in 1935, the Social Security Act has provided strong protections against loss of retirement income through the garnishment or attachment of Social Security benefits for the purpose of recovering debts owed by retirees. For decades, the law has provided near iron-clad protection against impoverishment in old age due to debt collection.

Unfortunately, in 1996 the Congress reversed course by authorizing the garnishment of Social Security and other earned benefits for the purpose of collecting debts owed by seniors to the federal government. Figuring prominently in this matter is the recovery of student loan debts from seniors who are living on their all-too-modest monthly Social Security benefits. According to the S. 1649's co-sponsor, Senator Sherrod Brown (OH), "Americans work hard to earn their Social Security and we cannot allow it to be stolen away by student debt."

After decades of shrinking savings, disappearing pensions and relatively flat wages, millions of Americans now rely solely on Social Security for the majority of their income in retirement. Yet, some politicians in Washington continue to call for policies that would reduce the annual Social Security Cost-of-Living Adjustment, raise the Social Security and Medicare eligibility ages, even privatize these programs which would mainly benefit Wall Street brokers and huge insurance companies.

Any one of these proposals, if implemented, would spell disaster for many older Americans who rely on Social Security and Medicare just to make ends meet. And many Americans nearing retirement are fearful they will not have saved enough money to provide for a reasonable standard of living in retirement. In fact, when people were asked in a recent survey which they fear most — death or outliving their money in retirement — nearly two-thirds chose running out of money.

That's why we want to know: Do you believe future generations of Americans will rely more or less on Social Security benefits for a secure retirement?

Take our poll now!

Did you know that a team of experts in the field of Social Security policy is available to answer your questions about benefits? For 36 years, the National Committee has been helping thousands of our members and supporters with a broad range of concerns on Social Security.

Whether you're currently retired or approaching retirement, the National Committee's "Ask Us" section can help answer your questions about Social Security. You can either search our archives for valuable advice on a broad range of concerns at www.ncpssm.org/ask-us-recent/ or email your question to [email protected].

This week's question is: If I apply for disability and become approved, will this affect my husband's check and what about our son's check?

Click here to read the answer.

Social Security Status & Claiming Strategies (June 11, 2019, WTPL, Interview with Max Richtman (Audio))

Connecticut workers can gain by delaying retirement. Here's how. (June 30, 2019, Hartford Courant, Article by Max Richtman)

The Mythology of Social Security Finances (June 10, 2019, KAZM, Interview with Max Richtman (Audio))

Pelosi Aims For Feds To Negotiate Drug Prices, Even For Private Insurers (June 28, 2019, Kaiser Health News, Emmarie Huetteman)

Women and minorities receive less from Social Security. Politicians are looking to change that (June 26, 2019, CNBC, Lorie Konish)