Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes

42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 8124 (2026)

Exemption of particular property.

✓ current as of May 2026

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§ 8124. Exemption of particular property.

(a) Goods.--The following personal property of the judgment debtor shall be exempt from attachment or execution on a judgment:

(1) Wearing apparel.

(2) Bibles and school books.

(3) Sewing machines belonging to seamstresses or used and owned by private families, but not including sewing machines kept for sale or hire.

(4) Uniforms and accoutrements as provided by 51 Pa.C.S. § 4103 (relating to exemption of uniforms and equipment).

(b) Retirement funds and accounts.--

(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), the following money or other property of the judgment debtor shall be exempt from attachment or execution on a judgment:

(i) Certain amounts payable under the Public School Employees' Retirement Code as provided by 24 Pa.C.S. § 8533 (relating to taxation, attachment and assignment of funds).

(ii) Certain amounts payable under the State Employees' Retirement Code as provided by 71 Pa.C.S. § 5953 (relating to taxation, attachment and assignment of funds).

(iii) The retirement allowance provided for in the act of May 24, 1893 (P.L.129, No.82).

(iv) Compensation or pension provided for in the act of May 20, 1915 (P.L.566, No.242).

(v) Compensation or pension provided for in the act of May 28, 1915 (P.L.596, No.259).

(vi) The retirement allowance, contributions and returned contributions under the act of February 1, 1974 (P.L.34, No.15), known as the "Pennsylvania Municipal Retirement Law."

(vii) Any pension or annuity, whether by way of a gratuity or otherwise, granted or paid by any private corporation or employer to a retired employee under a plan or contract which provides that the pension or annuity shall not be assignable.

(viii) Any retirement or annuity fund of any self-employed person (to the extent of payments thereto made while solvent, but not exceeding the amount actually excluded or deducted as retirement funding for Federal income tax purposes) and the appreciation thereon, the income therefrom and the benefits or annuity payable thereunder.

(ix) Any retirement or annuity fund provided for under section 401(a), 403(a) and (b), 408, 408A, 409 or 530 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (Public Law 99-514, 26 U.S.C. § 401(a), 403(a) and (b), 408, 408A, 409 or 530), the appreciation thereon, the income therefrom, the benefits or annuity payable thereunder and transfers and rollovers between such funds. This subparagraph shall not apply to:

(A) Amounts contributed by the debtor to the retirement or annuity fund within one year before the debtor filed for bankruptcy. This shall not include amounts directly rolled over from other funds which are exempt from attachment under this subparagraph.

(B) Amounts contributed by the debtor to the retirement or annuity fund in excess of $15,000 within a one-year period. This shall not include amounts directly rolled over from other funds which are exempt from attachment under this subparagraph.

(2) The exemptions provided by paragraph (1)(i) through (vi) shall be subject to any inconsistent provision of the act of July 8, 1978 (P.L.752, No.140), known as the "Public Employee Pension Forfeiture Act."

(c) Insurance proceeds.--The following property or other rights of the judgment debtor shall be exempt from attachment or execution on a judgment:

(1) Certain amounts paid, provided or rendered by a fraternal benefit society as provided by 40 Pa.C.S. § 6531 (relating to benefits not attachable).

(2) Claims and compensation payments under the act of June 2, 1915 (P.L.736, No.338), known as "The Pennsylvania Workmen's Compensation Law," except as otherwise provided in the act.

(3) Any policy or contract of insurance or annuity issued to a solvent insured who is the beneficiary thereof, except any part thereof exceeding an income or return of $100 per month.

(4) Any amount of proceeds retained by the insurer at maturity or otherwise under the terms of an annuity or policy of life insurance if the policy or a supplemental agreement provides that such proceeds and the income therefrom shall not be assignable.

(5) Any policy of group insurance or the proceeds thereof.

(6) The net amount payable under any annuity contract or policy of life insurance made for the benefit of or assigned to the spouse, children or dependent relative of the insured, whether or not the right to change the named beneficiary is reserved by or permitted to the insured. The preceding sentence shall not be applicable to the extent the judgment debtor is such spouse, child or other relative.

(7) The net amount payable under any accident or disability insurance.

(8) Certain amounts paid, provided or rendered by a fraternal benefit society as provided by section 305 of the act of July 29, 1977 (P.L.105, No.38), known as the "Fraternal Benefit Society Code."

(9) Certain amounts paid, provided or rendered under the provisions of section 106(f) of the act of July 19, 1974 (P.L.489, No.176), known as the "Pennsylvania No-fault Motor Vehicle Insurance Act."

(10) Certain amounts paid, provided or rendered under the provisions of section 703 of the act of December 5, 1936 (2nd Sp.Sess., 1937 P.L.2897, No.1), known as the "Unemployment Compensation Law."

(Apr. 28, 1978, P.L.202, No.53, eff. 60 days; Oct. 5, 1980, P.L.693, No.142, eff. 60 days; Dec. 20, 1982, P.L.1409, No.326, eff. 60 days; Oct. 12, 1990, P.L.531, No.128, eff. 60 days; Feb. 18, 1998, P.L.170, No.26, eff. imd.; Dec. 20, 2000, P.L.742, No.105, eff. 60 days)

2000 Amendment. Act 105 amended subsec. (b)(1)(ix).

1982 Amendment. Act 326 added subsec. (c)(9) and (10).

1980 Amendment. Act 142 reenacted and amended subsec. (b), retroactive to the effective date of the act of July 8, 1978, P.L.752, No.140, known as the Public Employee Pension Forfeiture Act, and added subsec. (c)(8). Section 210(d) of Act 142 provided that, notwithstanding 1 Pa.C.S. § 1957 (relating to ineffective provisions not revived by reenactment in amendatory statutes), it is hereby declared to be the intent of (the amendment affecting subsec. (b)) to restore such provisions to their status prior to the partial repeal effected by section 5 of the Public Employee Pension Forfeiture Act except as otherwise expressly provided by such provisions as reenacted and amended hereby.

1984 Partial Repeal. Section 8 of the act of February 12, 1984, P.L.26, No.11, relating to motor vehicle financial responsibility, repealed section 8124(c)(9) insofar as it is inconsistent with Act 11.

References in Text. The act of July 19, 1974, P.L.489, No.176, known as the Pennsylvania No-fault Motor Vehicle Insurance Act, referred to in subsec. (c)(9), was repealed by the act of February 12, 1984, P.L.26, No.11. The subject matter is now contained in Chapter 17 of Title 75 (Vehicles).

Section 305 of the act of July 29, 1977, P.L.105, No.38, known as the Fraternal Benefit Society Code, referred to in subsec. (c)(8), was repealed by the act of Dec. 14, 1992, P.L.835, No.134, known as the Fraternal Benefit Societies Code, which was repealed by the act of July 10, 2002, P.L.749, No.110. The subject matter is now contained in section 2433 of the act of May 17, 1921, P.L.682, No.284, known as The Insurance Company Law of 1921.

Section 6531 of Title 40 (Insurance), referred to in subsec. (c)(1), was repealed by the act of Dec. 14, 1992, P.L.835, No.134, known as the Fraternal Benefit Societies Code, which was repealed by the act of July 10, 2002, P.L.749, No.110. The subject matter is now contained in section 2433 of the act of May 17, 1921, P.L.682, No.284, known as The Insurance Company Law of 1921.

The short title of the act of June 2, 1915, P.L.736, No.338, known as The Pennsylvania Workmen's Compensation Law, referred to in subsec. (c)(2), was amended by the act of July 2, 1993, P.L.190, No.44. The amended short title is now the Workers' Compensation Act.

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 48 cases (4 in the last 5 years), 1980–2024 · leading case: Jones, B. v. McGreevy, D., 270 A.3d 1 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2022).

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Jones, B. v. McGreevy, D., 270 A.3d 1 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2022). · cites it 10× “Additionally, we observe that similar to the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes which exempt certain property from attachment or execution on a judgment, see 42 Pa.C.S. § 8124, the Bankruptcy Code allows a debtor to - 29 - J-A20022-21 J-A20023-21 exempt certain property from the…”

First Options of Chicago, Inc. v. Kaplan (In Re Kaplan), 162 B.R. 684 (Bankr. E.D. Pa. 1993). · cites it 11× “As originally enacted in 1976, 42 Pa.C.S. § 8124(b)(1)© through (vii) provided, as to pension plans, that only a debtor’s interest in a pension plan set up by an employer for employees would be protected from creditors of the debtor.”

Hollman v. Hollman, 500 A.2d 837 (Pa. 1985). · cites it 8× “§ 8124(c) the insurance exemption and not, as here, 42 Pa.C.S. § 8124(b)(1)(vii) the pension exemption.”

In Re Atallah, 95 B.R. 910 (Bankr. E.D. Pa. 1989). · cites it 7× “Even if 42 Pa.C.S. § 8124(b)( 1 )(vii) were applicable here, it is uncertain whether the Debtor’s IRAs would qualify under its provision since there has been no evidence presented to determine if the Debtor’s payments to his IRAs were made while he was solvent or if the amounts…”

Bierbach v. Tabor (In Re Tabor), 433 B.R. 469 (Bankr. M.D. Penn. 2010). · cites it 6× “As the language of 42 Pa.C.S. § 8124(b)(1) clearly states, Pennsylvania exemption statutes are applicable in situations outside of bankruptcy, such as state court proceedings for attachment or execution on a judgement.”

Plastipak Packaging, Inc. v. DePasquale, 75 F. App'x 86 (3rd Cir. 2003). · cites it 4× “In reviewing the District Court’s injunction we are called upon to interpret the meaning of the Pennsylvania exemption statute, 42 Pa. Cons.Stat. § 8124. See BA Properties, Inc.”

Shearer v. Oberdick (In re Oberdick), 490 B.R. 687 (Bankr. W.D. Pa. 2013). · cites it 3× “The Amended Schedule C claims an exemption for the MUS plan to the extent it is found to be property of the estate and changes the statutory basis for the exemption to 42 Pa.C.S. § 8124(b)(1)(ix). . ERISA is the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.”

Kaplan v. First Options of Chicago, Inc., 189 B.R. 882 (E.D. Pa. 1995). · cites it 3× “00; (3) two condominiums located in Atlantic City, New Jersey, valued at $40,000 and $20,000, respectively; (4) furniture valued at $45,000; and (5) the debtor’s residence in Penn Valley, Pennsylvania, valued at $800,000.”

In Re Kevin P. Kollar Lori P. Kollar v. Mitchell W. Miller, Tr./appellee, 176 F.3d 175 (3rd Cir. 1999). · cites it 3× “The categories are “goods,” 42 Pa.Cons.Stat. § 8124(a), 5 “retirement funds and accounts,” id.”

In Re Glunk, 342 B.R. 717 (Bankr. E.D. Pa. 2006). · cites it 2× “the Retirement Accounts as exempt pursuant to 42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 8124 (b)(l)(ix); e. the term life insurance policies, pursuant to 42 Pa.”

Eisenberg v. Houck (In Re Houck), 181 B.R. 187 (Bankr. E.D. Pa. 1995). · cites it 3× “See 42 Pa.Cons.Stat.Ann. § 8124(b)(l)(ix). 15 For purposes of § 541(c)(2), the applicable nonbankruptcy law in this instance is state exemption law, but it does not operate to exclude the IRA from property of the estate.”

GMAC Inc. v. Coley (In Re Coley), 433 B.R. 476 (Bankr. E.D. Pa. 2010). “See 42 Pa. Cons.Stat. Ann. § 8124(b); In re Bellwoar, 299 B.”

Show all 48 citing cases →

— 42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 8124(a) — 1 case

In Re Kevin P. Kollar Lori P. Kollar v. Mitchell W. Miller, Tr./appellee, 176 F.3d 175 (3rd Cir. 1999). “The categories are “goods,” 42 Pa.Cons.Stat. § 8124(a), 5 “retirement funds and accounts,” id.”

— 42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 8124(a)(1) — 1 case

LINI, Inc. v. Schachter (In Re Schachter), 214 B.R. 767 (Bankr. E.D. Pa. 1997).

— 42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 8124(b) — 14 cases

Jones, B. v. McGreevy, D., 270 A.3d 1 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2022). “Additionally, we observe that similar to the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes which exempt certain property from attachment or execution on a judgment, see 42 Pa.C.S. § 8124, the Bankruptcy Code allows a debtor to - 29 - J-A20022-21 J-A20023-21 exempt certain property from the…”

GMAC Inc. v. Coley (In Re Coley), 433 B.R. 476 (Bankr. E.D. Pa. 2010). “See 42 Pa. Cons.Stat. Ann. § 8124(b); In re Bellwoar, 299 B.”

In Re Atallah, 95 B.R. 910 (Bankr. E.D. Pa. 1989). “Even if 42 Pa.C.S. § 8124(b)( 1 )(vii) were applicable here, it is uncertain whether the Debtor’s IRAs would qualify under its provision since there has been no evidence presented to determine if the Debtor’s payments to his IRAs were made while he was solvent or if the amounts…”

Sikirica v. Wettach (In re Wettach), 489 B.R. 496 (Bankr. W.D. Pa. 2013).

In Re Robert Davis, 108 F. App'x 717 (3rd Cir. 2004).

— 42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 8124(b)(1) — 2 cases

First Options of Chicago, Inc. v. Kaplan (In Re Kaplan), 162 B.R. 684 (Bankr. E.D. Pa. 1993). “As originally enacted in 1976, 42 Pa.C.S. § 8124(b)(1)© through (vii) provided, as to pension plans, that only a debtor’s interest in a pension plan set up by an employer for employees would be protected from creditors of the debtor.”

Bierbach v. Tabor (In Re Tabor), 433 B.R. 469 (Bankr. M.D. Penn. 2010). “As the language of 42 Pa.C.S. § 8124(b)(1) clearly states, Pennsylvania exemption statutes are applicable in situations outside of bankruptcy, such as state court proceedings for attachment or execution on a judgement.”

— 42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 8124(b)(1)(ix) — 2 cases

Shearer v. Oberdick (In re Oberdick), 490 B.R. 687 (Bankr. W.D. Pa. 2013). “The Amended Schedule C claims an exemption for the MUS plan to the extent it is found to be property of the estate and changes the statutory basis for the exemption to 42 Pa.C.S. § 8124(b)(1)(ix). . ERISA is the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.”

— 42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 8124(b)(1)(ix)(A) — 2 cases

— 42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 8124(b)(1)(vii) — 4 cases

Hollman v. Hollman, 500 A.2d 837 (Pa. 1985). “§ 8124(c) the insurance exemption and not, as here, 42 Pa.C.S. § 8124(b)(1)(vii) the pension exemption.”

Stinner v. Stinner, 554 A.2d 45 (Pa. 1989).

B.C. Rodeheaver v. Bedford Pa. CCP (Pa. Commw. Ct. 2021).

— 42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 8124(b)(ix) — 1 case

LINI, Inc. v. Schachter (In Re Schachter), 214 B.R. 767 (Bankr. E.D. Pa. 1997).

— 42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 8124(b)(l)(ix) — 9 cases

Kaplan v. First Options of Chicago, Inc., 189 B.R. 882 (E.D. Pa. 1995). “00; (3) two condominiums located in Atlantic City, New Jersey, valued at $40,000 and $20,000, respectively; (4) furniture valued at $45,000; and (5) the debtor’s residence in Penn Valley, Pennsylvania, valued at $800,000.”

Eisenberg v. Houck (In Re Houck), 181 B.R. 187 (Bankr. E.D. Pa. 1995). “See 42 Pa.Cons.Stat.Ann. § 8124(b)(l)(ix). 15 For purposes of § 541(c)(2), the applicable nonbankruptcy law in this instance is state exemption law, but it does not operate to exclude the IRA from property of the estate.”

Pineo v. Fulton (In Re Fulton), 240 B.R. 854 (Bankr. W.D. Pa. 1999).

— 42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 8124(b)(l)(ix)(A) — 1 case

— 42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 8124(b)(l)(ix)(B) — 2 cases

Guelich Explosive Co. v. Soberdash Coal Co., 21 Pa. D. & C.4th 55 (1992).

— 42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 8124(b)(l)(vi) — 1 case

Rock v. Rock, 39 Pa. D. & C.3d 491 (1985).

— 42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 8124(b)(l)(vii) — 2 cases

Jackman v. Pelusi, 550 A.2d 199 (Pa. 1988).

— 42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 8124(b)(l)(viii) — 4 cases

Indus. Valley Bank & Trust Co. v. Rosenfield, 37 Pa. D. & C.3d 621 (1985).

Bakaric v. Bakaric, 6 Pa. D. & C.4th 380 (1990).

— 42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 8124(b)(viii) — 1 case

Indus. Valley Bank & Trust Co. v. Rosenfield, 37 Pa. D. & C.3d 621 (1985).

— 42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 8124(c) — 8 cases

Hollman v. Hollman, 500 A.2d 837 (Pa. 1985). “§ 8124(c) the insurance exemption and not, as here, 42 Pa.C.S. § 8124(b)(1)(vii) the pension exemption.”

Plastipak Packaging, Inc. v. DePasquale, 75 F. App'x 86 (3rd Cir. 2003). “In reviewing the District Court’s injunction we are called upon to interpret the meaning of the Pennsylvania exemption statute, 42 Pa. Cons.Stat. § 8124. See BA Properties, Inc.”

Meridian Bank v. Bell Fuel Corp. (In Re Bell Fuel Corp.), 99 B.R. 602 (E.D. Pa. 1989).

In Re Kollar, 218 B.R. 349 (Bankr. E.D. Pa. 1998).

— 42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 8124(c)(2) — 5 cases

Larry Pitt & Assocs. v. Long, 716 A.2d 695 (Pa. Commw. Ct. 1998).

Congleton v. Commonwealth, 409 A.2d 1382 (Pa. Commw. Ct. 1980).

Blake v. Commonwealth, 439 A.2d 1262 (Pa. Commw. Ct. 1981).

Chester Upland Sch. Dist. v. Mathews, 705 A.2d 473 (Pa. Commw. Ct. 1997).

Bucks Cnty. Bank & Trust Co. v. Stanislaw, 35 Pa. D. & C.3d 328 (1984).

— 42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 8124(c)(3) — 1 case

Bakaric v. Bakaric, 6 Pa. D. & C.4th 380 (1990).

— 42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 8124(c)(5) — 1 case

In Re Fahey, 352 B.R. 288 (Bankr.D. Colo. 2006).

— 42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 8124(c)(6) — 1 case

In Re Glunk, 342 B.R. 717 (Bankr. E.D. Pa. 2006). “the Retirement Accounts as exempt pursuant to 42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 8124 (b)(l)(ix); e. the term life insurance policies, pursuant to 42 Pa.”

— 42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 8124(c)(7) — 3 cases

In Re Kollar, 218 B.R. 349 (Bankr. E.D. Pa. 1998).

In Re Bova, 205 B.R. 467 (Bankr. E.D. Pa. 1997).

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