Sen. Bernie Sanders said he will introduce the Stop Social Security Garnishment Act next month to prevent Social Security retirement and disability benefits from being withheld to repay defaulted federal student loans. The proposal, backed by Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey, comes as the Trump administration continues to pause involuntary collections for borrowers in default after saying in June 2025 that it would not cut Social Security benefits and later delaying wage garnishment and other collections while rolling out new repayment options under President Donald Trump's "big beautiful bill." About 9.5 million borrowers were in default through March, and Sanders said nearly one in four borrowers cannot repay their loans and face the risk of wage or benefit seizures. Education Department data for the second quarter showed about 9.6 million borrowers age 50 and older owed nearly $457 billion, while the department has said the collections delay may give borrowers time for loan rehabilitation and to get their loans out of default.