Pennsylvania Bankruptcy Exemptions

On this page you can find all of the exemptions for Pennsylvania. Exemptions are the property that you can keep when you file bankruptcy.

CATEGORY
PROPERTY
AMOUNT
STATUTE
Homestead
Homestead
None, property held as tenancy by the entirety may be exempt against debts owed by only one spouse.
Wages / Wage Garnishment
Property of any kind
$300
42 Pa.C.S. § 8123(a)
Wages / Wage Garnishment
Personal earnings in hands of employer
100%
42 Pa.C.S. § 8127
Insurance
Proceeds of accident or disability insurance policies
100%
42 Pa.C.S ,§ 8124(c)(7)
Insurance
Proceeds of life insurance policy or annuity contract payable to spouse, children or dependent relative of insured
100%
42 Pa.C.S. § 8124(c)(6)
Insurance
Annuities & insurance benefits payable to insured
$100 per month
42 Pa.C.S. § 8124(c)(3)
Insurance
Life insurance and annuity contract proceeds retained by Ins. company if contract provides that proceeds are not assignable
100%
40 Pa.C.S § 514 42 Pa.C.S. § 8124(c)(4)
Insurance
Proceeds of group life insurance policies
100%
42 Pa.C.S. § 8124(c)(5)
Insurance
Fraternal Benefit Society benefits
100%
42 Pa.C.S. § 8124(c)(1), (8)
Personal Property
Uniforms, arms, ammunition & accoutrements of National Guardsmen
100%
51 Pa.C.S. § 4103 42 Pa.C.S. § 8124(a)(4)
Personal Property
Tangible personal property at international exhibition under auspices of federal government
100%
42 Pa.C.S. § 8125
Personal Property
Sewing machines of seamstresses & private families
100%
42 Pa.C.S. § 8124(a)
Personal Property
Wearing apparel, Bibles & school books
100%
42 Pa.C.S. § 8124(a)
Pensions / Retirement Accounts
Assets and benefits of self-employed person's retirement or annuity funds including appreciation thereon
100% of federally-deductible funds that were deposited while debtor was solvent
42 Pa.C.S. § 8124(b)(1)(viii)
Pensions / Retirement Accounts
Annuities or pension benefits paid by private corporation or employer to retired employee if plan or contract provides that the benefits not assignable
100%
42 Pa.C.S. § 8124(b)(1)(vii)
Pensions / Retirement Accounts
Municipal employees retirement benefits
100%
53 Pa.C.S. § 881.115 42 Pa.C.S. § 8124(b)(1)(vi)
Pensions / Retirement Accounts
Public school employees retirement benefits
100%
24 Pa.C.S. § 8533 42 Pa.C.S. § 8124(b)(1)(i)
Pensions / Retirement Accounts
Police pension fund benefits
100%
53 Pa.C.S. § 764 42 Pa.C.S. § 8124(b)(1)(iii)
Pensions / Retirement Accounts
State employees retirement benefits
100%
71 Pa.C.S. § 5953 42 Pa.C.S. § 8124(b)(1)(ii)
Pensions / Retirement Accounts
City employees retirement & pension benefits
100%
53 Pa.C.S. § 23572, 39351, 39383 42 Pa.C.S. § 8124(b)(1)(v)
Pensions / Retirement Accounts
Public officers & employees retirement benefits
100%
53 Pa.C.S. § 13445 42 Pa.C.S. § 8124(b)(1)(iv)
Pensions / Retirement Accounts
County employees retirement benefits
100%
16 Pa.C.S. § 4716
Pensions / Retirement Accounts
Any retirement or annuity fund that is qualified under I.R.C.
100%
42 Pa.C.S. § 8124(b)(1)(ix)
Public Benefits
Crime victim’s reparation awards
100%, except injury expenses
18 Pa.C.S. § 11.708
Public Benefits
Veteran's compensation benefits
100%
51 Pa.C.S. §§ 20012, 20048, 20098, 20127
Public Benefits
Unemployment Compensation benefits
100%
43 Pa.C.S. § 863, 42 Pa.C.S. § 8124(c)(10)
Public Benefits
Workmen's Compensation benefits
100%
77 Pa.C.S. § 621 42 Pa.C.S. § 8124(c)(2)
Miscellaneous
Property in the hands of a common carrier
100%
42 Pa.C.S. § 8126
Miscellaneous
Specific partnership property
100% of partner's interest
15 Pa.C.S. § 8342
Miscellaneous
Property acquired after court- approved assignment for benefit of creditors
100% (applies only against creditors prior to assignment)
39 Pa.C.S. § 102

If you want to learn more about filing bankruptcy in Pennsylvania please visit our FAQ Page or for more information about Pennsylvania you can visit the Pennsylvania section.