Both federal and state laws provide exemptions for certain property that a debtor is allowed to claim as exempt. What property is eligible for exemption status varies from state-to-state; however, some states allow you to choose whether to use the federal exemptions or your state's exemptions. If federal exemptions allow you to keep more property than your state's exemptions, then you should opt for federal, provided your state allows it (not all states allow you to choose between federal and state exemptions).