Wage Garnishment in Massachusetts

Massachusetts: 85% Gross Wage Protection

Massachusetts offers one of the strongest percentage-based garnishment protections in the country. Under Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 246, § 28, 85% of gross wages are fully protected from creditor garnishment. This effectively caps garnishment at 15% of gross pay — significantly lower than the 25% of disposable earnings allowed under the federal baseline.

Gross vs. Disposable: Why It Matters

Most states (and the federal CCPA) calculate garnishment as a percentage of disposable earnings — gross pay minus legally required deductions like taxes and Social Security. Massachusetts calculates from gross wages, before any deductions. This is a critical distinction: for a worker earning $1,000/week gross, Massachusetts protects $850, while the federal formula would protect only about $750-800 depending on tax withholding.

How It Compares in New England

Massachusetts stands apart from its New England neighbors. New Hampshire uses a 50× exemption multiplier but keeps the 25% cap. Maine uses a 40× multiplier. Connecticut also uses 40×. Rhode Island and Vermont follow the federal baseline. Only New York (at 10% of gross) offers a stronger percentage cap than Massachusetts in the Northeast.

NCLC Recognition

The National Consumer Law Center (NCLC) consistently ranks Massachusetts among the top states for consumer protection. The 85% gross wage rule, combined with Massachusetts’s $15.00 state minimum wage, means that even minimum-wage workers retain substantial take-home pay after any garnishment.

Statute: Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 246, § 28; 15 U.S.C. § 1673 — Official source

This calculator is for consumer debt garnishment only. Not legal advice. Rules vary by debt type (student loans, child support, taxes). Verify with official sources before making any financial or legal decisions.