IDR Plan Comparison
Compare estimates for RAP, IBR, PAYE, and ICR 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. RAP treats everyone in your household other than you as a dependent and does not model its $50 principal match. 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 payment and the interest each plan leaves unpaid under RAP, IBR, PAYE, and ICR.
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.
SAVE is gone, RAP replaces it, and PAYE and ICR sunset on July 1, 2028. Residents and fellows choosing a plan now are choosing between RAP and IBR.
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%).
RAP: Uses your whole AGI, not discretionary income: 1% to 10% by $10,000 bracket, minus $50 a month per dependent, with a $10 minimum. Unpaid interest is waived, and there is no cap. See our IBR vs. RAP guide.
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.
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Editorial Credibility
Joshua 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?
It depends on income and whether you are pursuing PSLF. At resident incomes RAP and IBR payments are often close, and RAP waives unpaid interest. As income rises RAP usually costs more, because it takes up to 10% of total AGI with no cap, while IBR is capped at the 10-year standard payment.
Do IDR payments count toward PSLF?
Yes. Payments under RAP, IBR, PAYE, and ICR all count as qualifying payments for Public Service Loan Forgiveness, as long as you work for a qualifying employer.