Preface by saying I understand PAYE is going away in 2028. All my loans are from 2009-2013 so I believe I qualify if it’s the better short term option. Previously on REPAYE and auto enrolled in SAVE. My loans are not consolidated. I also apologize in advance for the remedial math. I know there are repayment calculators out there and I used the one on student aid website, this is me making sure I understand the calculations correctly and make the proper decision.
I understand AGI or adjusted gross income to be my total taxable income minus total deductions. My total gross income was $55,679. The standard deduction for me $15,750. Am I correct that my AGI would be the difference between two?
$55,679-$15,750 = $39,929.00 AGI
For RAP I’d be in the 3% repayment bracket so I’d multiply $39,929 x 3% = $1,197.87 and divide by 12 for a monthly payment of $99
For PAYE I would subtract 150% of the 2025 poverty line for single filers which is $15,650×1.5 = $23,475.00 from my above AGI to determine my disposable income of $16,454. PAYE repayment is 10% of disposable income divided by 12 monthly payments. So $1645 / 12 = $137.08
Obviously RAP is the cheaper option if my understanding of calculations is correct. My current plan is forgiveness as my loans total close to my gross income ($49k) and interest ticking away. Im 46 years old and barring some lucky career change with double the salary I’m not going to pay this off. I’m a little over 9 years into repayment.
Is there any benefit to enrolling in PAYE while it’s available and would I have to consolidate my loans with interest capitalizing? And is the RAP plan permanent once you switch or would I be able to switch out to IBR down the road if it better suited my financial situation? Ive seen conflicting on whether or not the final bill allowed to switch out from RAP once enrolled.
Thanks.
Am I understanding AGI, RAP and PAYE calculations correctly?
byu/BigBucs731 inStudentLoans
Posted by BigBucs731