This week, the Trump administration announced a proposed settlement with the state of Missouri that said it would end the Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) plan — upending the repayment plans of millions of student loan borrowers across the country. Initially, President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill had set the student loan repayment plan's expiration date as July 1, 2028. However, the new deal, which is pending court approval, would end it even sooner than expected. The Department of Education said ...

Table of Contents Expand Table of Contents A new income-driven repayment plan is set to lower total costs for many student loan holders but raises monthly payments for low-income borrowers. The "One Big, Beautiful Bill" Act introduced the new income-driven Repayment Assistance Plan, also known as RAP, which is expected to open for enrollment by July 1, 2026. The bill also eliminates all other existing income-driven plans for borrowers in three years. However, borrowers who take out loans before July 1, 2026 ...

Core Insights - The article addresses the challenges faced by recent graduates, particularly in managing student loans before securing employment [1][2] Group 1: Deferment Options - New graduates often struggle to manage living expenses and loan payments without income, making deferment options crucial [3] - Federal student loans typically offer a six-month grace period post-graduation, during which payments are not required, although interest may accrue on private loans [3] - Making small payments during the grace period can help reduce long-term interest costs [3] Group 2: Income-Driven Repayment Plans - Most federal borrowers qualify for income-driven repayment plans, which adjust monthly payments based on income [4] - Plans such as Pay As You Earn (PAYE), Income-Based Repayment (IBR), and Income-Contingent Repayment (ICR) provide options for managing payments and potential forgiveness of remaining balances after a set term [5] - PAYE caps payments at 10% of discretionary income, while IBR bases payments on income and family size, forgiving balances after 20 or 25 years [5]

Core Insights - Student loan borrowers are reducing discretionary spending to manage loan repayments, with many successfully handling their loans, but an increasing number are facing difficulties [2][5][6] Spending Adjustments - The typical student loan borrower has reduced their weekly spending by approximately $12.20 for every $10,000 of student debt, leading to an annual spending cut of about $1,590 for the median borrower with a $25,000 balance [3][4][9] Borrower Status - Out of 18.8 million borrowers in repayment, nearly 13 million are in good standing, while about 25% expect to pay off their debt by next year [6][9] - Over 4 million borrowers are nearing default, a figure that is more than eight times the pre-pandemic delinquency rate [7] Economic Context - Borrowers are facing challenges due to rising prices from tariffs and a slowing labor market, complicating their ability to budget for loan payments [8]

Core Insights - The article discusses the financial decision-making process of an individual, Rob, who is weighing the options between paying off student loan debt and investing for wealth accumulation [1][3]. Group 1: Financial Situation - Rob has $25,000 in student loan debt at a 5% interest rate with 10 years remaining on the loan [1]. - He has recently received a promotion that provides him with an additional $1,000 in disposable income each month [1]. Group 2: Employer Retirement Match - It is emphasized that taking advantage of the employer's 401(k) match program should be a priority, as it represents free money that compounds immediately [2]. - Employees are recommended to contribute at least as much to their 401(k) as the maximum company match amount, typically around 6% of their salary [2]. Group 3: Debt vs. Investment - The decision hinges on comparing the cost of paying off the student loan against the potential returns from investments [3]. - Eligible borrowers can deduct up to $2,500 of student loan interest, which lowers the effective cost of the loan [3]. Group 4: Potential Outcomes - If Rob focuses solely on paying off his student debt with an extra $1,000 monthly, he could be debt-free in less than two years, but would miss out on potential investment returns during that time [4]. - Alternatively, Rob could invest up to $1,200 per month (including the employer match) while making regular payments on the loan, which could yield returns but would be affected by the existing debt [5].