The Education Department’s settlement of a 2024 lawsuit is approved by a federal appeals court, officially ending the income-driven SAVE repayment plan and requiring approximately 7 million enrolled borrowers to move into  a different repayment program. Go to IDR Plan Court Actions: Impact on Borrowers | Federal Student Aid for the latest. For more information on the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and what it means for student loans, visit SoFi’s Student Debt Guide.

Pam O’Brien

About the Author

Pam O’Brien is an award-winning editor and writer who has covered personal finance, budgeting, small business, and money issues. She is also an expert in health and wellness whose work has appeared in O Quarterly, Shape, Health, and More magazines, among others.

The latest articles from Pam O’Brien

Student Loans

How Long Does It Take to Get a Student Loan?

Pam O’Brien | September 08, 2026

Debt Payoff

Proposed Department of Education Shutdown: Student Loan Implications

Pam O’Brien | August 28, 2026

money

How Much Money Should You Give as a Wedding Gift?

Pam O’Brien | August 04, 2026

money

When Were Women Allowed to Open a Bank Account?

Pam O’Brien | August 04, 2026

money

How to Negotiate Your Bills & Save More Money

Pam O’Brien | August 04, 2026

Growing Wealth

Backdoor Roth IRA: What It Is and Is It Right for You?

Pam O’Brien | July 15, 2026

Growing Wealth

Top 5 Alternatives to a 401(k): Saving for Retirement Without a 401(k)

Pam O’Brien | July 08, 2026

Growing Wealth

What Is an IRA?

Pam O’Brien | June 18, 2026

Growing Wealth

What To Do With an Inheritance

Pam O’Brien | May 28, 2026

student_loan

Is the PSLF Program Ending? What Borrowers Should Know

Pam O’Brien | May 22, 2026

student_loan

IBR vs PAYE: How Do These Student Loan Repayment Plans Compare?

Pam O’Brien | May 11, 2026

Debt Payoff

Why Are Student Loan Interest Rates So High? What Borrowers Should Know

Pam O’Brien | May 05, 2026

Economics of the 2026 World Cup: How Much Americans Will Spend in Host Cities

Pam O’Brien | May 01, 2026

What Is a Security Deposit for a Credit Card?

Pam O’Brien | April 29, 2026

Student Credit Cards vs Secured Cards: Key Differences and Which Is Right for You?

Pam O’Brien | April 29, 2026

invest

Super Catch-Up Contributions Guide

Pam O’Brien | April 28, 2026

invest

What Is the SECURE Act 2.0?

Pam O’Brien | April 07, 2026

Insurance

HO-3 vs HO-6 Insurance: What’s the Difference?

Pam O’Brien | March 13, 2026

Going to College

Can DACA Recipients Apply for Student Loans?

Pam O’Brien | March 13, 2026

invest

Women and Investing: 2026 Trends and Strategies

Pam O’Brien | March 02, 2026

invest

A Beginner’s Guide to 401(k) Retirement Plans

Pam O’Brien | February 11, 2026

Investing

Understanding the 403(b) Retirement Plan: A Comprehensive Guide

Pam O’Brien | February 09, 2026

Budgeting & Goals

How Much Money Should I Have Saved by 40?

Pam O’Brien | February 06, 2026

Fresh Out of School

Understanding Student Loan Amortization

Pam O’Brien | February 06, 2026

invest

Women and Retirement: Insight Into the Gender Divide

Pam O’Brien | February 06, 2026

Budgeting & Goals

How to Save for Retirement

Pam O’Brien | February 05, 2026

Growing Wealth

Understanding 401(k) Contribution Limits: 2025-2026

Pam O’Brien | February 04, 2026

Growing Wealth

IRA Tax Deduction Rules

Pam O’Brien | February 04, 2026

invest

Ready to Invest for Retirement? Here’s How to Build Your Portfolio

Pam O’Brien | January 20, 2026

personal_loan

What Is the Trump Credit Card Interest Cap?

Pam O’Brien | January 16, 2026

Growing Wealth

How to Manage Your 401(k): Tips for All Investors

Pam O’Brien | January 07, 2026

Budgeting & Goals

When Can I Retire Calculator

Pam O’Brien | January 07, 2026

Growing Wealth

How Often Are Dividends Paid?

Pam O’Brien | December 26, 2025

invest

Best IRA for Young Adults: 2026 Guide

Pam O’Brien | December 26, 2025

Growing Wealth

IRA Rollover Rules 2025: 60-Day & One-Per-Year Rules Explained

Pam O’Brien | December 24, 2025

Growing Wealth

The Essentials of Stock Float and Its Impact on Investing

Pam O’Brien | December 23, 2025

Growing Wealth

Risk Tolerance Quiz: How Much Risk Are You Willing to Take?

Pam O’Brien | December 19, 2025

invest

SEP IRA Rules and Limits to Know

Pam O’Brien | December 18, 2025

Going to College

Does an MBA Degree Increase Your Salary?

Pam O’Brien | December 14, 2025

invest

Can You Have a Joint Retirement Account?

Pam O’Brien | December 12, 2025

Budgeting & Goals

How Much Money Should I Have Saved by 30?

Pam O’Brien | December 12, 2025

Growing Wealth

How to Fund an IRA

Pam O’Brien | December 12, 2025

Budgeting & Goals

Do I Need a Personal Accountant?

Pam O’Brien | December 04, 2025

Growing Wealth

How to Convert a Traditional 401(k) to a Roth IRA

Pam O’Brien | December 03, 2025

Cryptocurrency

Holding Crypto in an IRA: What to Know in 2026

Pam O’Brien | December 02, 2025

invest

Pros & Cons of Working After Retirement

Pam O’Brien | November 19, 2025

Home Ownership

When Is the Best Time to Buy a House?

Pam O’Brien | October 16, 2025

Budgeting & Goals

7 Tips for Buying a Home in the Off-Season

Pam O’Brien | October 16, 2025

Growing Wealth

How to Invest as a College Student

Pam O’Brien | September 22, 2025

Life & Career

Breaking Barriers: New SoFi Data Reveals the Truth About Today’s Female Entrepreneurs

Pam O’Brien | September 19, 2025

Fresh Out of School

How to Get Student Loans Out of Default

Pam O’Brien | September 18, 2025

Growing Wealth

Should You Ever Invest Your Emergency Fund?

Pam O’Brien | September 10, 2025

Fresh Out of School

When Do Student Loan Rates Increase?

Pam O’Brien | September 06, 2025

Debt Payoff

What Is the Student Loan Default Rate?

Pam O’Brien | August 13, 2025

Growing Wealth

Stock Market Fluctuations Explained

Pam O’Brien | August 12, 2025

Growing Wealth

What Is a Roth 401(k)?

Pam O’Brien | July 31, 2025

Budgeting & Goals

Ultimate Guide to Retirement Planning for Millennials

Pam O’Brien | July 18, 2025

Budgeting & Goals

Pros & Cons of Living Cash-Only

Pam O’Brien | July 14, 2025

Financial Independence

5 Smart Steps to Get Out of a Timeshare

Pam O’Brien | July 11, 2025

personal_loan

Can You Deduct Your Child’s Tuition from Taxes?

Pam O’Brien | July 05, 2025

SMB

10 Business Ideas That Are Recession-Proof

Pam O’Brien | June 17, 2025

Growing Wealth

Common Questions About Investing — Answered

Pam O’Brien | June 10, 2025

Budgeting & Goals

Unexpected Wedding Expenses to Watch Out For

Pam O’Brien | June 10, 2025

Budgeting & Goals

How Autopay Works & When to Consider Using It

Pam O’Brien | June 10, 2025

Budgeting & Goals

How to Save Big with Senior Discounts

Pam O’Brien | May 29, 2025

Budgeting & Goals

11 Tips for Cleaning Up Your Finances

Pam O’Brien | May 22, 2025

Credit

Can You Get A Student Loan With No Credit History?

Pam O’Brien | May 08, 2025

Home Ownership

The Ultimate Home Inspection Checklist

Pam O’Brien | May 02, 2025

Growing Wealth

Stakeholder vs Shareholder: What’s the Difference?

Pam O’Brien | April 24, 2025

Budgeting & Goals

4 Tips for Handling Finances After a Pay Cut

Pam O’Brien | April 22, 2025

Budgeting & Goals

Pros & Cons of a Cash Diet

Pam O’Brien | April 18, 2025

Financial Topics

10 Last-Minute Tax Tips to File Smart and On Time

Pam O’Brien | April 02, 2025

Growing Wealth

How to Cash in a Bond

Pam O’Brien | March 10, 2025

Growing Wealth

9 Types of Investments & Their Pros and Cons

Pam O’Brien | February 06, 2025

Debt Payoff

Understanding the Extended Repayment Plan

Pam O’Brien | January 23, 2025

Financial Independence

How to Find and Hire a Financial Coach

Pam O’Brien | January 13, 2025

Credit

What Parents and Grandparents Really Want This Holiday Season

Pam O’Brien | November 21, 2024

Budgeting & Goals

6 Tips on Splitting the Dinner Bill With Friends

Pam O’Brien | October 11, 2024

SMB

Best Cities to Start a Business in the U.S.

Pam O’Brien | September 20, 2024

SMB

The Best Metros in the U.S. for Underrepresented Businesses Owners

Pam O’Brien | July 15, 2024

SMB

Success Secrets of Hispanic & Latine Owned Businesses

Pam O’Brien | May 22, 2024

Budgeting & Goals

The Investor’s Guide to Navigating 401(k) Fees

Pam O’Brien | November 26, 2023

Growing Wealth

Pros & Cons of Consolidating Your 401(k)

Pam O’Brien | November 07, 2023

Home Ownership

A Guide to Lender-Paid Mortgage Insurance

Pam O’Brien | July 03, 2023

Building Your Career

What to Do Before Starting Your First Job

Pam O’Brien | June 23, 2023

Building Your Career

Changing Careers After Law School (and Why You May Have To)

Pam O’Brien | June 22, 2023

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