What is IDR / SAVE Student Loan Payment Calculator?
A IDR / SAVE Student Loan Payment Calculator computes monthly repayments and total interest on a loan. It applies the standard formula to the values you enter and returns the result instantly, without sending any data to a server. Borrowers use it to compare offers and to plan repayments.
IDR / SAVE Student Loan Payment Calculator
Estimate your monthly Income-Driven Repayment under the SAVE plan formula. Status: SAVE is on hold.
TLDR
Income-Driven Repayment plans cap your federal student loan payment at a percentage of discretionary income. Under SAVE: discretionary = AGI minus 225% of the poverty line, then 5% (undergrad) or 10% (grad) annually. Note: SAVE is currently in legal limbo - check studentaid.gov for the latest.
How to use this calculator
- Enter your inputs. Each field is labeled with its unit (dollars, percent, age, etc.).
- Read the result instantly. Numbers update as you type - no submit button.
- Adjust to test sensitivity. Change one input at a time to see what moves the result most.
- Cross-check the formula in the section below. Calculator math should match the published formula.
- Copy or screenshot the result for later. The site does not save anything; close the tab and inputs are gone.
About this tool + formula
This calculator uses real 2025-26 IRS, SSA, and CMS published values. The math runs entirely in your browser - nothing is sent to a server. The underlying formula is:
discretionary = max(0, AGI - 2.25 * federal_poverty_line(family_size)) monthly_payment = discretionary * 0.05 (UG) or 0.10 (grad) / 12
Sources: IRS contribution limits, SSA reduction factors, CMS Medicare premium tables, US Treasury auction yields, HHS Federal Poverty Guidelines. Numbers are refreshed annually as new figures publish.
Real-world scenarios where this calculator helps
Recent grads with low starting salary
Discretionary income near zero means a near-zero monthly payment. The catch: interest may keep accruing (depends on subsidy rules).
Public service workers (PSLF)
Pay IDR for 120 qualifying months while working for government / 501(c)(3), then remaining balance is forgiven.
Teachers, social workers
Combination of low salary + high loan balance from grad school. IDR + PSLF after 10 years often results in massive forgiveness.
Family size changes
Each new dependent raises the poverty line and lowers your payment. Recertify with the latest tax return.
What this tool does
- Computes discretionary income using 225% of the 2025 federal poverty line (SAVE plan rules).
- Splits the payment percentage: 5% for undergrad-only loans, 10% for graduate loans, 7.5% mixed.
- Adjusts for family size (each additional person raises the poverty line).
- Compares to the standard 10-year amortized payment.
- Handles the higher Alaska / Hawaii poverty thresholds.
What it does NOT handle
- Doesn't model interest accrual or capitalization - that depends on plan details and subsidy rules.
- Doesn't compute PSLF qualifying months or the forgiveness timeline.
- Doesn't reflect the SAVE litigation status - check studentaid.gov for whether SAVE is actually accepting new applications.
- Doesn't compare to PAYE, IBR, or the older ICR plans.
- Doesn't model spousal income for married-filing-jointly borrowers.
Common mistakes and pitfalls
- Filing jointly with a higher-earning spouse. Joint AGI is used unless you file separately, which can sharply raise your IDR payment.
- Forgetting to recertify. Income recertification is annual; missing it bumps you to standard 10-year payment.
- Assuming SAVE is still accepting borrowers. As of 2025 the plan is in legal limbo - check studentaid.gov for the latest.
- Not counting all dependents (kids, other people you claim on your tax return) in family size.
- Choosing IDR when you can afford the standard plan. IDR extends repayment up to 20-25 years, possibly costing more in total interest if you do not pursue forgiveness.
Frequently asked questions
What is SAVE?
Saving on a Valuable Education plan, the most generous IDR plan introduced in 2023. Discretionary income cutoff is 225% of FPL (vs 150% on older plans), and unpaid interest is subsidized. As of 2025 it is in court.
What counts as discretionary income?
Your AGI minus 225% of the federal poverty line for your family size. For a family of 1 in the 48 states, that is $35,212 protected; income above this is discretionary.
Do undergrad and grad loans pay differently?
Yes. SAVE caps payment at 5% of discretionary for undergrad-only loans, 10% for grad loans, and a weighted average if you have both.
Will my balance grow?
If your monthly payment is less than monthly accrued interest, the difference would normally be added to your balance. SAVE was designed to subsidize that gap, but the program's status is unclear.
What about PSLF?
Public Service Loan Forgiveness: 120 qualifying monthly payments (any IDR plan, while working for govt or 501(c)(3) nonprofit) wipes the rest. IDR + PSLF is the path for most public-sector borrowers.
Can I switch back to standard repayment?
Yes, anytime. Standard 10-year amortized payment is the default; IDR plans are opt-in.
Does my spouse's income count?
If you file jointly, yes. If you file separately, only your income counts (but you lose other tax benefits). Couples should run both scenarios.
How often do I recertify?
Annually. The servicer asks for last year's tax return or pay stubs. If you forget, you are auto-bumped to standard 10-year payment.