While efforts to claim top dog status for any single life form will always founder on questions of definitions, what such discussions surely highlight is the complex interdependency that exists between the millions of different species of life on Earth.
Supplemental Security Income cannot be garnished under any circumstance. Among the government creditors who can grab a piece of your Social Security check, the strongest arm belongs to the IRS. Via the Federal Payment Levy Program, Social Security benefits are subject to a 15 percent levy to pay delinquent taxes. Unlike nontax debts to other agencies, for which the first $750 of your monthly benefits are off-limits to garnishment, the IRS can take its 15 percent cut regardless of how little money you're left with. Lump-sum death benefits and Social Security benefits paid to children are not subject to this levy.
Social Security can also be garnished to pay for late alimony or child support, which can cost you as much as 50%-65% of your benefit. Why this matters to you The average Social Security benefit for a retiree was $1,301.84 as of August.ubtract the $104.90 Part B and a $183 supplemental premium from a typical Social Security benefit, and the check shrinks substantially to $1,013.94. That's before considering the possibility of any taxes or garnishments. If you can live on that net monthly benefit in your retirement, more power to you.