15 USC § 1672 - Definitions

---
identifier: "/us/usc/t15/s1672"
source: "usc"
legal_status: "official_prima_facie"
title: "15 USC § 1672 - Definitions"
title_number: 15
title_name: "COMMERCE AND TRADE"
section_number: "1672"
section_name: "Definitions"
chapter_number: 41
chapter_name: "CONSUMER CREDIT PROTECTION"
subchapter_number: "II"
subchapter_name: "RESTRICTIONS ON GARNISHMENT"
positive_law: false
currency: "119-84"
last_updated: "2026-04-17"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
source_credit: "(Pub. L. 90–321, title III, § 302, May 29, 1968, 82 Stat. 163.)"
---


# § 1672. Definitions

For the purposes of this subchapter:

**(a)** The term “earnings” means compensation paid or payable for personal services, whether denominated as wages, salary, commission, bonus, or otherwise, and includes periodic payments pursuant to a pension or retirement program.

**(b)** The term “disposable earnings” means that part of the earnings of any individual remaining after the deduction from those earnings of any amounts required by law to be withheld.

**(c)** The term “garnishment” means any legal or equitable procedure through which the earnings of any individual are required to be withheld for payment of any debt.

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**Source Credit**: (Pub. L. 90–321, title III, § 302, May 29, 1968, 82 Stat. 163.)