Court Rules Social Security Can Be Seized To Pay Student Loa

[PrincessFiona]

A man goes to college....before being able to finish paying off his student loans, he becomes disabled and requires social security...read on:

http://www.nbc11.com/education/5484103/detail.html

Court Rules Social Security Can Be Seized To Pay Student Loans
Bush Administration Says Outstanding Student Loans Total $33 Billion

WASHINGTON -- Not paying up on school debts can cost you when you're older or disabled.

The Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that the government can seize Social Security benefits to pay old student loans.

Justices unanimously ruled against a disabled man who said he needs all of his $874 monthly check to pay for food and medication.

[PrincessFiona]

So here are my thoughts....I don't think social security should be taken away to pay for this (not that any of us will see ss). I think that able-bodied americans should be forced to pay their student loan bills (as outrageously high as I happen to think the cost of college is now..and as ridiculous as I find that to be) unless they earn below a certain income or are disabled, etc. In my oh-so-humble opinoin money should be taken directly from your paychecks when you are employed...just like would be done for delinquent child support. If you are ever gainfully employed using your social security number...the money will come out if you aren't paying.

Using social security in this way is just...wrong.

I wonder if those are private loans? I thought that the federal loans DH has can be suspended in the event of disability....

Hmmn... I like Kris' idea of garnishing wages of the able-bodied and working. Regarding the case in the article, I don't think I have enough information to give an opinion.

Let's say the now-disabled guy in question ducked meeting his obligations for years while he was able-bodied? If that were to be the case, I don't know if I'd feel too bad for the guy. Also, in a hypothetical scenario where an able-bodied person dodged his responsibilities for years - would I as a taxpayer, and someone who is paying off my own student loans, feel bad if an abolishment of the ten-year statute of limitations enabled the government to garnish that person's social security in retirement? Nope, probably not. :>

[Rapunzel]

I agree with Kevin's comments.

Jennifer