In recent weeks, confusion erupted over whether married student loan borrowers in the United States could face higher monthly payments under income-driven repayment (IDR) plans—particularly the SAVE Plan.
Initially, policy changes proposed by the Department of Education under President Trump’s administration appeared to indicate that spousal income would be included in payment calculations, even for couples filing taxes separately.
However, federal officials have since clarified that the original announcement was a mistake. So, where does that leave married borrowers in 2025? Here’s what the facts say.
Understanding Income-Driven Repayment Plans (IDRs)
IDR plans help borrowers cap their monthly student loan payments based on income and family size. The most widely used plans include:
- SAVE (Saving on a Valuable Education) Plan
- PAYE (Pay As You Earn)
- REPAYE (Revised Pay As You Earn)
- IBR (Income-Based Repayment)
Marriage and Student Loans: What Changes?
When borrowers get married, the impact on their student loan payments depends primarily on how they file their taxes:
- Married Filing Jointly:
Your combined household income is used to determine your IDR monthly payment. This can result in higher payments, especially if your spouse earns a significant income. - Married Filing Separately:
Depending on the IDR plan, only your income may be counted. This often helps reduce monthly payments, but it could make you ineligible for certain tax credits and deductions.
The SAVE Plan and Spousal Income Confusion
The Biden administration had previously implemented the SAVE Plan to replace REPAYE, offering more borrower-friendly rules. Notably, under the SAVE Plan:
- If you file taxes separately, your spouse’s income is excluded from the payment calculation.
- If you file taxes jointly, then both incomes are considered.
However, in April 2025, the Department of Education announced that all married borrowers, regardless of filing status, would have their spouse’s income included in the payment calculation. This move would have led to higher payments for many borrowers who strategically file separately.
That announcement created public outrage, particularly among dual-income households already dealing with inflation and rising costs.
But just days later, the administration walked back the announcement. According to a statement reported by Business Insider, the earlier update was a “mistake” and did not reflect actual policy.
The Washington Post confirmed that the Education Department has now reaffirmed the original SAVE Plan terms: spouses who file taxes separately will not have their partner’s income factored into IDR payments.
What Borrowers Should Do Now
Here’s how to navigate your repayment if you’re married:
- Evaluate your tax filing strategy:
If you want to exclude your spouse’s income from your monthly IDR calculation, consider filing your taxes separately. Keep in mind this may affect your overall tax liability. - Confirm your repayment plan:
Make sure you’re enrolled in the right IDR plan. You can log into your account at studentaid.gov and review your plan options. - Use loan simulators:
The government’s Loan Simulator tool can help you compare payments under different tax and repayment scenarios. - Watch for updates:
Policies can change quickly, especially in an election year. Monitor announcements from official government sources like the U.S. Department of Education.
Final Takeaway
Student loan payments can be higher for married borrowers—but only under certain conditions. Filing taxes jointly means your spouse’s income will count, potentially increasing your payment. Filing separately, especially under the SAVE Plan, protects you from that increase—a key benefit that remains in place after a brief policy scare.
So, if you’re married and repaying student loans, it pays (literally) to know how your filing status impacts your monthly payment. And in this case, the facts confirm: no automatic increase for all married borrowers—just smart planning needed.
This article has been carefully fact-checked by our editorial team to ensure accuracy and eliminate any misleading information. We are committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity in our content.
