Should You Save for Retirement or Pay Off Student Loans?

Student loans pose a perennial question for recent grads and those just starting out in their careers: Should I pay down my student debt before I begin saving for retirement?

It can be tempting to postpone saving for things like an emergency fund or for goals like retirement, especially if you're young and aren't making a lot of money. However, thanks to the power of compounding, setting aside even small amounts when you're young could help you build significant savings by the time you reach retirement age.

It's not impossible to tackle student debt while also saving for retirement. Consider prioritizing these steps:

The cardinal rule for paying off student debt is: Don't miss payments. Make at least the minimum payment on every loan and ensure the amount fits your monthly budget. If you can't manage the minimum, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has resources that can help you negotiate with federal and private lenders.

As you repay your loan, you're establishing credit history, and up to $2,500 in student loan interest payments may be tax-deductible, even if you don't itemize and take the standard deduction. You can get the full deduction if your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) in 2025 is less than $85,000 (or $170,000 for joint returns). If your MAGI is between $85,000-$100,000 (or $170,000-$200,000 for joint returns) you'll still qualify for a partial deduction, but the credit phases out based on your income. Regardless, however, there's an upside to starting payments and making them on time.

Your next priority is to consider your qualified workplace retirement plan, if one is available to you. You'll want to contribute as much as you can afford to your 401(k)—or 403(b) if you work for a nonprofit—up to your employer's match. Not contributing enough to receive the match (often 5% or 6%) is turning down what's effectively "free money."

Before paying more toward student loans, consider prioritizing other debt with a high interest rate, such as that held on a credit card. Interest can pile up quickly—especially if you carry over your balance from month to month. Start by cutting back your credit card use and putting extra money toward your balance. With less debt, you'll be able to save more for retirement and put more money toward paying off your student loans.

Life happens, and you should plan for the unexpected. Otherwise, you might find yourself relying on a credit card or on your retirement savings during a financial setback. To give yourself a buffer, we recommend saving at least three to six months of living expenses. Keep the money in a high-interest savings or money market account where it can grow and where you can easily access it should you need to make a withdrawal. Even if you put away only a minimal amount each month, every little bit helps.

In addition to or in lieu of a workplace retirement plan, you can make tax-advantaged contributions to other types of retirement accounts. In 2025, you can save up to $7,000 a year in a traditional IRA and potentially get an up-front tax deduction. Alternatively, you can save the same amount in a Roth IRA, if your income qualifies, and forgo the tax deduction today but enjoy potential tax-deferred growth and tax-free withdrawals on qualified distributions in the future.¹

Also, if your income is less than $39,500 ($79,000 for joint returns), you might be eligible for a Saver's Credit—up to $1,000 ($2,000 for joint returns) for your IRA or 401(k) contributions.

With any leftover funds, use them wisely. After you've paid your high-interest debts—and yourself—consider paying more toward your student loans as well as saving and investing the rest for other goals you may have. While investing involves risks and you could lose money in the market, you may also gain more from investment returns over the long run.

Juggling student debt can be tricky but investing in your future is worth it. College graduates can successfully manage loan repayment while saving for retirement. You don't have to choose one over the other.