I’m currently in deferment and will be for the next 2 years.  My current payment plan while in deferment is just the standard plan, but I’m thinking of changing to IBR before my deferment ends.  I’m married and currently I would apply under the old IBR married filing separately.  With the new changes coming up, I’m worried that the old IBR will be closed to new enrollees and I’ll be forced to include my husbands income.  Do you know if new enrollees can choose from the old IBR plans?  Also, should I just switch my payment plan to IBR now (even though our last return was joint) and switch to separate next year OR should I wait until next tax season when I file separate and switch to the old IBR.  I’m worried that if I wait until next year (which is only 5 months away) that I will no longer be eligible for the old IBR plan.

I don’t believe IBR will be changing at all…just PAYE (Which will become REPAYE). I could be wrong, but I haven’t heard of any changes to IBR.

Switching to IBR might mess up your deferment status….maybe not….just keep an eye on it. It might take you out of it, and you’d have to reapply to get back on it.

I’m sure some sort of announcement will happen if IBR does change, and you can just hold off and wait until something is announced. I know there was an IBR plan before the one in place now, and there is no way to enroll in the older one. I can’t remember the exact differences between them though, but I’m sure if a new one comes along the old ones won’t be available.