New Department of Education data shows 7.7 million borrowers are in student loan default. Here's how to check your loans and make a plan to avoid garnishments.

If you collect Social Security and you are behind on a federal student loan, the past year has been a slow-motion policy watch. As of March 2026: garnishment is still paused, but the clock is ticking toward a resumption date tied to a new repayment plan launching this summer.

Recently released data from the Education Department showed that by the end of last year, 7.7 million borrowers had defaulted on $181 billion in federal student loans.