Discretionary Income Calculator

Your details

The federal mode uses the HHS poverty guideline to define discretionary income for income-driven repayment plans. The personal-finance mode lets you enter your own essential expenses.
Your annual AGI (line 11 on Form 1040). Use gross income if you do not know your AGI.
USD
Include yourself, your spouse (if filing jointly), and all dependents claimed on your tax return.
people
Alaska and Hawaii have higher poverty guidelines. All other states use the 48-contiguous guideline.
Each plan uses a different poverty-line multiplier to define discretionary income and a different percentage of that income for your monthly payment.
Discretionary incomeGood financial flexibility
$31,060

Annual income above the protected poverty threshold (or above essential expenses)

Monthly discretionary$2,588
2026 poverty guideline$15,960
Protected income$23,940
Estimated monthly loan payment$259
Discretionary share of income56.5%
56.5% %
Very tight<5%Constrained5%-15%Moderate15%-30%Flexible30%+
Protected income$23,940
Discretionary income$31,060

You have 56% of your income available as discretionary.

  • Your annual discretionary income is $31,060, or about $2,588 per month.
  • 56.5% of your income is discretionary, which gives solid room for savings, investing, and goals-based spending.
  • Your income-protected threshold is $23,940/year. Income below this is shielded from loan payments entirely.

Next stepLog in to studentaid.gov to confirm your eligibility for each IDR plan, as PAYE is closed to new borrowers and qualification rules vary.

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