Betsy Mayotte, Founder of The Institute of Student Loan Advisors, joins Broadcast Retirement Network to discuss the sharp rise in federal student loan defaults and what it means for borrowers today. We break down the key timeline—when delinquency starts affecting credit, and when a loan officially reaches default—plus the real-world consequences like wage and tax refund garnishment, reduced borrowing options, and impacts that can ripple into housing and employment decisions.