Mercer Advisors
Sharing Knowledge

Question

Should I pay off student loans or Parent PLUS loans before retiring?

Answer

The decision to pay off loans depends on the interest rate and your overall financial picture. High-interest debt typically costs more than you might earn by investing, making paying it down before transitioning to a fixed income a priority. However, you should balance debt repayment with maintaining adequate liquidity and retirement savings.

Related FAQs

Can I switch from Medicare Advantage to Medigap later?

Does Medigap cover prescription drugs?

What is the Part D out-of-pocket cap for 2026?
Retirement Financial Planning Retirement Planning Lifestyle Social Security Living in Retirement Healthcare & Medicare Cash Flow Management Financial Independence FAQs
Last Updated June 11, 2026
Previous Next

Further Learning

Retirement Article

Connecting the Dots on Your Retirement Plan

Learn how a structured three-part approach to retirement income planning can help you protect the wealth you’ve built and achieve financial independence.

Financial Planning Guide

The Inheritance and Sudden Wealth Playbook: First 90 Days + 12 Months

When you inherit a significant amount of wealth, the decisions you make in the first year can define outcomes for decades. Here’s your step-by-step playbook.

Retirement Article

How SECURE 2.0 Is Reshaping Your Retirement Savings Options

The SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022 introduced significant updates to retirement savings rules — automatic enrollment, emergency savings accounts, and enhanced catch-up contribution limits — that can meaningfully change how you plan for the future.

Listen
Investment Management Podcast

Episode 39 – Financial Planning Is a Prerequisite to Successful Investing

Don Calcagni, Chief Investment Officer, breaks down why financial planning should be the essential first step to building, sustaining, and transferring wealth.

Back to Sharing Knowledge

About Mercer Advisors

We exist so you don’t have to worry about money. For more than 40 years, we’ve taken the sophisticated, time-tested approach that many ultra-high net worth individuals use to help manage their financial lives and made it accessible to more families.

Explore Our Solutions

Financial Planning
Estate Planning
Tax Planning & Preparation
Insurance Solutions
Investment Management
Trustee Services

Want to learn more about Mercer Advisors?

Let’s Talk