Mastering Student Loans: Refinancing, Repayment, PSLF, and Advisor-Led Savings-Slide handout

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Pdf Summary

This NAPFA presentation by Joseph Price-Gault (Juno) outlines how advisors can build holistic student-loan strategies across federal repayment, PSLF, and private refinancing. It frames the market (about $1.83T outstanding; ~92% federal) and emphasizes early FAFSA completion to maximize limited first-come aid.<br /><br />Major policy changes begin July 1, 2026: new borrowing limits and a redesigned income-driven landscape. Borrowers who take a new disbursement or consolidate on/after July 1, 2026 will be restricted to the new Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP), while traditional IBR remains only for loans disbursed or consolidated before that date. The session highlights the practical importance of deadlines—especially July 1, 2028, when borrowers on phased-out plans must switch (or be auto-enrolled in IBR).<br /><br />SAVE, introduced in 2023, is described as effectively nonfunctional: it was paused in summer 2024; time in forbearance doesn’t count toward PSLF/forgiveness; and interest resumed August 1, 2025. Advisors are urged to evaluate switching SAVE borrowers into IBR (old vs. new) or RAP rather than waiting.<br /><br />PSLF fundamentals are reviewed (120 qualifying payments, qualifying employer, no acceleration, tax-free forgiveness), with best practices: use the PSLF Help Tool, submit employer certification annually, verify eligibility (especially in private practice), and document employment during forbearance for potential buyback.<br /><br />Refinancing guidance distinguishes private refinancing from federal consolidation and stresses irreversibility: refinancing federal loans permanently forfeits federal protections (IDR/PSLF). A decision framework is provided: refinance private loans for better terms; keep federal loans when benefits matter; refinance only the private portion for mixed portfolios. Case studies illustrate when to refinance (no PSLF benefit, Parent PLUS modeling vs. ICR) versus when to stay federal (PSLF-track borrowers, residents).<br /><br />Finally, the talk integrates loans into broader planning: cash-flow modeling, MFJ vs. MFS tax analysis, retirement contributions to reduce AGI (and IDR payments), and insurance/estate considerations. Advisors should reassess plans at least annually.

Keywords

NAPFA student loan strategy

federal student loan repayment plans

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP) 2026

Income-Based Repayment (IBR) eligibility deadlines

SAVE plan pause and forbearance impacts

FAFSA early completion and aid timing

private student loan refinancing vs federal consolidation

Parent PLUS loans and ICR modeling

tax filing strategy MFJ vs MFS for IDR