Hello, all

I am writing to ask if anyone has any info for me. 

I am currently about five years in to PSLF forgiveness, having been on IBR the entire time.  I am eager to switch to REPAYE in 12/15 or 1/16—whenever I can—since my payment will drop by a third (my balance and rate are so high that I am not concerned with principal or interest—forgiveness is my only out).  However, I am concerned re: the future.

I plan on marrying my wonderful girlfriend who also has a ton of law school debt.  She consolidated with Ed and is on her way to PSLF forgiveness, but due to various reasons her forgiveness will be at least two years after mine.  She will also switch to REPAYE as soon as she can.

My question is: after my loans are forgiven, would she be able to switch back to IBR such that my (much higher) income wouldn’t be counted towards her payment?  (Did the recent Ed rule changes creating REPAYE kill the spouse income/filing separately loophole for all plans?)

I hate to game the system, but I also hate that my loan forgiveness will do absolutely nothing in terms of our daily life since our combined income would remain the same and her balance will always be so high that her IBR or REPAYE payment (including both our incomes) amount would be less than the standard cap.

I appreciate any guidance

This is an important question that I’d appreciate the answer to as well. I’m not on PSLF, but am currently on IBR and not eligible for old-PAYE. I’m wondering if I could switch to REPAYE temporarily and then switch back to IBR if/when I get married. Any payments I made while temporarily on REPAYE would also still count under IBR, right?

The whole REPAYE system is a fiasco. If only they had made everyone eligible for old-PAYE..

I’m also very curious about this. I will be switching to REPAYE, and will receive PSLF in about 7 years.

My wife would like to switch as well, but then once I receive PSLF she will need to keep paying for another 20 years or so. it would be better, once I receive forgiveness, if she could go back to IBR and we then file separately.

Anyone know whether that will be possible?

Or, are you permenantly stuck in REPAYE once you opt in?

I don’t see why not…but that’s assuming that IBR will still be around after 7 years. I know when you switch from IBR to REPAYE, your loan servicer will ask for one accelerated payment (1 month of the standard 10 year plan) which may be a lot if you have significant debt. It most likely is the same if you were to back to IBR. If IBR changes to a new IBR that doesn’t allow married filing separately, there will be no way to go back to the old one. I’d call your loan servicer and check with them. (speak to a manager if you don’t trust the person you are talking to)