Defaulted federal student loan borrowers may face wage garnishment starting in 2026.

Borrowers with defaulted federal student loans may face wage garnishment starting in 2026, as the U.S. Department of Education prepares to resume collection efforts after a pause during the pandemic. The move affects those who have not made payments for more than 270 days. The government plans to begin garnishing wages, but specific implementation dates and procedures are still being finalized.