Student loan debt among older people has grown at a staggering rate, in part due to rising tuitions that have forced more people to borrow greater sums.

That involuntary collection activity could have serious consequences on those who rely on the benefits to pay most, if not all, of their bills, consumer advocates say.

Survivors benefits can play a particularly crucial role in helping a senior on Social Security make ends meet after their spouse passes away. But Nationwide Retirement Institute reports that 41% of surveyed adults are unaware the surviving spouse can inherit their deceased partner's payout in certain situations.