Behind on credit card debt in retirement? Here's what actually happens next.
Falling behind on debt in retirement can trigger a chain of consequences, but you have more options than you think.
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March 31, 2026 / 11:38 AM EDT / CBS News
A significant number of seniors are being forced to carry high-rate credit card debt into retirement, and in many cases, those balances aren't particularly small, either. One driving factor is that household debt is sitting at its latest record high of $18.5 trillion , with credit card debt accounting for $1.23 trillion of that total balance. Credit card payment delinquency rates have been climbing, too, and perhaps unsurprisingly, older borrowers are also among those falling behind on what they owe.
It's easy for any credit card debt you're carrying to become unmanageable if you're on a fixed income, after all, and with average credit card rates still hovering above 21% currently, even modest balances can become difficult to control. That pressure is especially acute for retirees because there's less flexibility in retirement to increase income or absorb unexpected expenses. So, a missed payment , and then another, can quickly shift from a temporary setback into something more serious.
But what actually happens once you fall behind on your credit card debt in retirement? Understanding the timeline — and the options available along the way — can make a meaningful difference in how the situation unfolds.
Find out how to get rid of your credit card debt for less today .