Us Code § 8346 - Exemption from legal process; recovery of payments

Full text of Us Code United States Code § 8346 — Exemption from legal process; recovery of payments, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 8346. Exemption from legal process; recovery of payments

(a) The money mentioned by this subchapter is not assignable, either in law or equity, except under the provisions of subsections (h) and (j) of section 8345 of this title, or subject to execution, levy, attachment, garnishment, or other legal process, except as otherwise may be provided by Federal laws.

(b) Recovery of payments under this subchapter may not be made from an individual when, in the judgment of the Office of Personnel Management, the individual is without fault and recovery would be against equity and good conscience. Withholding or recovery of money mentioned by this subchapter on account of a certification or payment made by a former employee of the United States in the discharge of his official duties may be made only if the head of the agency on behalf of which the certification or payment was made certifies to the Office that the certification or payment involved fraud on the part of the former employee.

(Pub. L. 89–554, Sept. 6, 1966, 80 Stat. 583; Pub. L. 94–166, §2, Dec. 23, 1975, 89 Stat. 1002; Pub. L. 95–366, §1(b), Sept. 15, 1978, 92 Stat. 600; Pub. L. 95–454, title IX, §906(a)(2), (3), Oct. 13, 1978, 92 Stat. 1224.)

Historical and Revision Notes
DerivationU.S. CodeRevised Statutes and

Statutes at Large

5 U.S.C. 2265. July 31, 1956, ch. 804, §401 "Sec. 15", 70 Stat. 758.

In subsection (b), the words "Notwithstanding any other provision of law" are omitted as unnecessary. The second word of the second sentence "or" is substituted for "of" to correct a printing error.

Standard changes are made to conform with the definitions applicable and the style of this title as outlined in the preface to the report.


Editorial Notes

Amendments

1978—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 95–366 substituted references to subsecs. (h) and (j) of section 8345 for reference to subsec. (g) of section 8345.

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 95–454 substituted "Office of Personnel Management" and "Office" for "Civil Service Commission" and "Commission", respectively.

1975—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 94–166 inserted "except under the provisions of section 8345(g) of this title," after "equity", and ", except as otherwise may be provided by Federal laws" after "process".


Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1978 Amendments

Amendment by Pub. L. 95–454 effective 90 days after Oct. 13, 1978, see section 907 of Pub. L. 95–454, set out as a note under section 1101 of this title.

Amendment by Pub. L. 95–366 applicable to payments made from Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund after Sept. 15, 1978, see section 2 of Pub. L. 95–366, set out as a note under section 8345 of this title.

About This Section

5 U.S.C. § 8346 is part of Title 5 of the United States Code. The United States Code is the official codification of federal statutes maintained by the Office of the Law Revision Counsel of the U.S. House of Representatives. Congress amends the Code through new public laws, which are eventually incorporated into the relevant title.

This section may be cited in legal writing as 5 U.S.C. § 8346. For the most current official text, including any recent amendments, use the official source links below. Do not rely on this page as the sole authority for legal citation or litigation.

How to Read This Statute

Statutes are organized by title, chapter, section, and subsection. Pay attention to words like "shall," "may," "and," and "or," because they determine whether a requirement is mandatory or permissive and whether multiple conditions must all be met. Historical notes and amendments often appear at the end of a section.

Using This Page

This page is intended for research and educational use. Lawyers, students, journalists, and compliance professionals can use it as a starting point, but should always verify the current text through an official government source before relying on it for legal advice, filings, or compliance decisions.

Sources

Source: official Us Code text · Last verified 2026-08-27

Frequently Asked Questions About Us Code § 8346

What does United States Code § 8346 cover?

Section 8346 ("Exemption from legal process; recovery of payments") is part of the United States Code, the codified statutory law of Us Code. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite Us Code § 8346?

A common citation format is "United States Code § 8346" (Us Code). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of Us Code law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Us Code official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Us Code attorney.

How does Us Code § 8346 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Us Code can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Us Code.