IDR Plan Comparison
Compare estimates for SAVE, PAYE, and IBR to find your lowest monthly payment.
Your Details
From your last tax return (Line 11 on 1040).
Poverty guidelines are higher in AK/HI.
Standard 10-Year Payment
This is the "Cap" for PAYE/IBR.
Methodology
Estimates based on projected 2026 HHS Poverty Guidelines. Assumes all loans are graduate "Direct" loans. Does not account for "weighted average" calculation of underground/grad loans for SAVE (assumes 10% rate). Actual payments determined by your loan servicer.
Clinical Context & Calculation Details
How to Use This Calculator
Input your current loan balance, interest rate, adjusted gross income (AGI), and family size. The tool will calculate your estimated monthly payments under different Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) plans.
Compare the monthly cash flow impact and total interest accrued under SAVE, PAYE, and standard IBR options.
Why Doctors Need This
For physicians with high debt-to-income ratios, choosing the wrong IDR plan can be a six-figure mistake. Some plans offer better interest subsidies, while others have more favorable payment caps or shorter forgiveness timelines.
With the recent legal and legislative changes to the SAVE plan, having a side-by-side comparison is more critical than ever for medical residents and fellows.
The Math Behind It
Discretionary Income: Most IDR plans calculate payments as a percentage (10-15%) of your income above a certain poverty line threshold (150% or 225%).
SAVE Plan: Uses 225% of the poverty line, resulting in the lowest monthly payments for most doctors, though currently subject to legal holds.
Pearls & Pitfalls
- Pearl: If you are planning on PSLF, the plan that gives you the *lowest* monthly payment is usually the best, as it maximizes the amount eventually forgiven.
- Pitfall: Forgoing the "Standard Repayment Plan" cap. Some IDR plans like PAYE cap your payment at what it would have been under a standard 10-year plan; others do not.
- Pearl: Recertify your income early if your salary dropped (e.g., transitioning from attending back to fellowship), but delay it as long as possible if your salary jumped significantly.
Related Clinical Finance Tools
Editorial Credibility
J.R. Dunigan, DO | Family Medicine Physician & Founder
I founded MedMoneyGuide to provide physicians with unbiased, specialty-specific financial guidance. My goal is to add transparency and credibility to your financial journey.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which IDR plan is best for medical residents?
The SAVE plan (when active) is typically best for residents because it prevents unpaid interest from capitalizing, though PAYE is sometimes better for dual-income households.
Do IDR payments count toward PSLF?
Yes, all income-driven repayment (IDR) plans, including SAVE, PAYE, and IBR, count as qualifying payments for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.