What happens to student loan debt if the borrower dies?
I had four life changing events happen over a lifetime which kept me either deferred or paying minimum payments. I have paid $30k on a$18 k loan and still owe $5k. I am 63 years old. I have a grand total of $44k saved — $5k in a roth and 39k in an ira. I am deferred yet again. I am NOT going to pay another dime… but am told I will have my wages garnished. What is crazy is this debt isn't even mine. It is a parent plus. What are they going to do follow me to the graveyard and demand payment from my heirs?
Question:
I had four life changing events happen over a lifetime which kept me either deferred or paying minimum payments. I have paid $30k on a$18 k loan and still owe $5k. I am 63 years old. I have a grand total of $44k saved — $5k in a roth and 39k in an ira. I am deferred yet again. I am NOT going to pay another dime… but am told I will have my wages garnished. What is crazy is this debt isn’t even mine. It is a parent plus. What are they going to do follow me to the graveyard and demand payment from my heirs?
Response:
Paddy Hirsch May 19, 2013 Senior Editor, Marketplace
Hi there, I’m sorry to hear about your complicated situation with this loan! The answer to your question is quite simple, however. The lenders will not follow you to your grave — or at least they won’t go after your heirs: ParentPLUS loans are discharged if the borrower dies. Click here for more: http://www.parentplusloan.com/repayment/forgiveness.php
