Are parent PLUS loans being repayment on Social Security?

Asked by: Miss Helga VonRueden II  |  Last update: February 23, 2026
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The government doesn't forgive Parent PLUS Loans when you retire or draw Social Security benefits, but it has programs that will wipe out your remaining balance after you've made a number of student loan payments under an income-driven repayment plan.

Can parent PLUS Loans be forgiven when you retire?

There is no forgiveness available to Parent PLUS Loan borrowers looking to retire. Remember that Parent PLUS Loan forgiveness is only possible through the Income-Contingent Repayment Plan or PSLF after first consolidating your Parent PLUS Loan into a federal Direct Consolidation Loan.

Can social security be garnished for parent PLUS Loans?

Social Security can't be garnished if a private student loan was taken out. But, SS and SSDI benefits can be taken because it's a defaulted federal student loan (FFEL Parent Plus Loan) -- the only exception is SSI.

Are parent PLUS Loans eligible for repayment?

Parent PLUS borrowers are eligible for the following repayment plans: Standard Repayment Plan. Graduated Repayment Plan. Extended Repayment Plan.

Are parent PLUS Loans going to be forgiven?

Do parent PLUS loans qualify for forgiveness? Parent PLUS loans can qualify for federal student loan forgiveness under two possible programs: Public Service Loan Forgiveness: Parents can have their loans forgiven after making 10 years' worth of monthly payments.

Retiring with $212k in Parent PLUS Loans: What Are Your Options?

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How can I get out of paying my parent PLUS loan?

While parent PLUS loan forgiveness isn't as widely available as forgiveness for student borrowers, a few options do exist. Some options include the Income-Contingent Repayment plan (forgiveness after 25 years of payments) and Public Service Loan Forgiveness (forgiveness after 10 years), as well as other methods.

What is the parent plus loophole?

The double consolidation loophole is a way of making your Parent PLUS Loans eligible for the generous repayment terms of the SAVE program. You can do this by changing the source of your loan through multiple consolidations, changing it from an ineligible Parent PLUS Loan to an eligible Direct Consolidation Loan.

What happens to a parent PLUS loan when the parent dies?

Your parent's PLUS loan will be discharged if your parent dies or if you (the student on whose behalf your parent obtained the loan) die.

What is the average parent PLUS loan debt?

Based on the information from Federal Student Aid, as of 2022, the average Parent PLUS Loan debt is $29,528. Although that might not sound like a huge amount, it depends on the parent's income.

What happens if you don't pay a parent PLUS loan?

Defaulting on a Parent PLUS Loan can lead to serious consequences, including wage garnishment, credit score damage, and the loss of federal benefits. But you can recover through loan rehabilitation or consolidation with the U.S. Department of Education.

Can people on Social Security get student loan forgiveness?

Starting in September 2021 and continuing quarterly after that, eligible borrowers identified as totally and permanently disabled through data matching with the Social Security Administration (SSA) will automatically have their federal student loans discharged.

Can I get my name off a parent PLUS loan?

If approved, the student can pay off the Parent PLUS loan with their new loan and begin making payments on the new loan. Transferring a Parent PLUS loan to a student involves refinancing through a private lender. The student must apply for a new loan to pay off the Parent PLUS loan.

Can parent PLUS loans be discharged due to disability?

Parent PLUS Loans are eligible for total and permanent disability discharge if the parent borrower, not the student for whom you borrowed, is totally and permanently disabled. For more information on TPD eligibility: https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/disability-discharge.

Can parent PLUS loans be written off?

Your parent PLUS loan may be discharged if you (not the child) become totally and permanently disabled, die, or (in some cases) file for bankruptcy. Your parent PLUS loan also may be discharged if the student for whom you borrowed dies.

Do parent PLUS loans go away after 20 years?

The rest can be erased after a decade of work in public service or after you've made 20 years' worth of payments under the income-contingent repayment plan. Ahead, learn what happens to your parent loans when you retire and how to get the balance forgiven.

Are student loans forgiven at age 70?

Are student loans forgiven when you retire? No, the federal government doesn't forgive student loans at age 50, 65, or when borrowers retire and start drawing Social Security benefits. So, for example, you'll still owe Parent PLUS Loans, FFEL Loans, and Direct Loans after you retire.

What are the negatives about the parent PLUS loan?

What Are Some Reasons to Avoid PLUS Loans? First, PLUS loans have no automatic grace period. Then there's the fact they aren't eligible for most IDR plans. Then, borrowing too much is easy to do, and finally, they're nearly impossible to get out of, even in bankruptcy.

Are parent PLUS loans eligible for forgiveness?

Parent PLUS loans can be eligible for Income-Contingent Repayment (ICR) and Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF). However, they must be consolidated into a federal Direct Consolidation loan first. Your eligibility for these programs can depend on your income and the type of employer you work for.

How to lower parent PLUS loan payments?

Refinancing. If you have good credit and enough household income to qualify, you may also be able to refinance your Parent PLUS loan to a lower interest rate through a private lender, which can potentially save you money.

What debts are not forgiven upon death?

Medical debt and hospital bills don't simply go away after death. In most states, they take priority in the probate process, meaning they usually are paid first, by selling off assets if need be.

Can I transfer my parent PLUS loan to my son?

Parent PLUS loans are made directly to parents for their child's education. Under the current rules, parents cannot transfer these federal loans to a child, and they are solely responsible for paying back the loan.

Can you get a forbearance on a parent PLUS loan?

Forbearance is also possible on Parent PLUS Loans. Generally, forbearance is requested when you experience a short-term financial hardship and can't make your student loan payment. Interest accrues while the forbearance lasts, and you're expected to begin making payments at the end of the period.

How does parent plus repayment work?

Standard repayment plan: Pay off your loan by making fixed monthly payments for 10 years. Graduated repayment plan: Start with smaller payments, then have your payments gradually increase during the 10-year repayment period. Extended repayment plan: Fixed or graduated payments for 25 years.

What disqualifies you from a parent PLUS loan?

If you're a parent or graduate student seeking a Direct PLUS Loan, one of the requirements to qualify is that you must not have an adverse credit history. If your application is denied because of an adverse credit history, don't give up. You still have options.

Should you consolidate your parent PLUS loans?

For example, you usually don't want to combine Parent PLUS loans with any other type of loan, because consolidating them together could mean that you will only be eligible for an Income-Contingent Repayment (ICR) plan, which is usually more expensive than other IDR plans.