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Income-Driven Repayment Calculator

Estimate your SAVE plan student loan payment from income and family size.

Updated June 2026 · Editorial standards

Your details (SAVE plan)

$
Estimated monthly payment
$88
Annual payment
$1,056
Discretionary income
$21,115
Protected income (225% FPL)
$33,885

Under the SAVE plan your estimated payment is $88/month.SAVE protects 225% of the federal poverty guideline ($33,885 for your family size), then charges 5% of the remaining discretionary income ($21,115).

By the KalkWise Editorial Team Reviewed for accuracy Updated June 2026

What is the income-driven repayment calculator?

In short

Income-driven repayment caps your federal student loan payment at a percentage of discretionary income. Under the SAVE plan, undergraduate loans are 5% of income above 225% of the poverty line. A single borrower earning $55,000 pays roughly $90/month.

Estimates your monthly federal student loan payment under the SAVE plan based on your income, family size, and loan type.

How to use this calculator

  1. 1Enter your adjusted gross income.
  2. 2Enter your family size (larger families protect more income).
  3. 3Choose undergraduate (5%) or graduate (10%) loans.
  4. 4See your estimated monthly and annual payment.

The formula

discretionary=AGI−(225%×FPL)
payment=discretionary×rate12
discretionary = AGI − 2.25 × FPL; payment = discretionary × rate / 12
FPL
— Federal poverty line for your family size
discretionary
— AGI − 225% × FPL
rate
— 5% undergraduate, 10% graduate
payment
— discretionary × rate / 12

Worked example

The scenario

$55,000 AGI, family size 1, undergraduate loans.

gives

The result

Protected income (225% FPL): ~$33,885. Discretionary: ~$21,115. Monthly payment: ~$88.

Common use cases

  • Borrowers with high loan balances relative to income.
  • Comparing SAVE plan payments to the standard 10-year plan.
  • Borrowers pursuing Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF).

Limitations & assumptions

  • Models the SAVE plan; IBR, PAYE, and ICR use different formulas and protected-income percentages.
  • Uses 2024 poverty guidelines for the 48 contiguous states (Alaska and Hawaii differ).
  • Does not account for spousal income treatment, which depends on tax filing status.

Frequently asked questions

A set of federal repayment plans that cap your monthly payment at a percentage of your discretionary income and forgive any remaining balance after 20–25 years (or 10 for PSLF).

Disclaimer: KalkWise calculators are provided for general informational and educational purposes only and do not constitute financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. Results are estimates based on the figures you enter and the assumptions described above. Actual outcomes will vary. Consult a qualified professional before making financial decisions.