can a collection agency take our SS, retirement checks, 401K & milititary pay for credit card debt? We are both retired.

A collection company can not force you to pay anything.  It is there job to get you to pay, but cannot force you to pay.  The collection company may seek to get a judgment against you, and, should that happen, you should contact a local consumer rights attorney to discuss your options.     This is not intended to be legal advice, and is general in its nature. No attorney-client relationship exists or is formed by this information. Furthermore, this does not represent the views or opinions of LexisNexis or its affiliated companies.