The Trump administration is moving to take up to 15 percent of Social Security checks from seniors and disabled Americans who have defaulted on old student loans.

It’s unconscionable. Millions of Americans who worked hard their whole lives, paid into Social Security, and now rely on those benefits to survive are being told they could lose up to 15 percent of their monthly payments just because they still owe on old student loans.

This isn’t about irresponsibility. It’s about survival. Many of the 2.9 million borrowers over the age of 62 are on fixed incomes. Some are in poor health. Many depend on Social Security for food, housing, medication, and basic dignity. Garnishing even a fraction of their benefits can mean choosing between rent and insulin.

The Trump administration’s decision to resume these offsets with barely any notice after years of pandemic disruption shows a cruel disregard for those who can least afford it. And it's not just retirees. Disabled Americans who depend on Social Security are also at risk.

We should be helping our elders age in peace, not pushing them deeper into poverty over student loans from decades ago.

We demand an immediate halt to this policy. No more garnishments. No more threats. Social Security is a lifeline, not a loan repayment tool.

Enough is enough.

Photo: AP Ross D. Franklin