Tax

When Is My Student Loan Written Off UK?

Student loan write-off dates by plan type. How long until your loan is cancelled, what happens at write-off, and whether you should try to repay early.

By PocketWise · · 4 min read

Tax information is based on HMRC rules for the 2026/27 tax year. Tax rules can change — always verify current rates at GOV.UK. This is not tax advice. Consider consulting a qualified tax adviser for your personal situation.

Your student loan doesn’t last forever. Here’s when it gets written off based on your loan type.

Write-Off Dates by Plan

Summary

Plan Write-Off Period
Plan 1 25 years or age 65 (whichever first)
Plan 2 30 years
Plan 4 30 years (or age 65 for older borrowers)
Plan 5 40 years
Postgraduate 30 years

Detailed Rules

Plan From When Condition
Plan 1 April after leaving course Earlier of 25 years or age 65
Plan 2 April after leaving course 30 years exactly
Plan 4 April after leaving course 30 years (or 65 if pre-2007)
Plan 5 April after leaving course 40 years exactly
Postgraduate April after leaving course 30 years

Calculate Your Write-Off Date

Plan 2 Example

Your Details Date
Course ended July 2020
First April after April 2021
Plus 30 years April 2051
Write-off date April 2051

Plan 1 Example

Your Details Date
Course ended July 2010
First April after April 2011
Plus 25 years April 2036
Or turn 65 Whichever first

Plan 5 Example

Your Details Date
Course ended July 2027
First April after April 2028
Plus 40 years April 2068
Write-off date April 2068

Quick Reference Table

By Graduation Year (Plan 2)

Left Course Write-Off Year
2015 2046
2016 2047
2017 2048
2018 2049
2019 2050
2020 2051
2021 2052
2022 2053
2023 2054

By Graduation Year (Plan 5)

Left Course Write-Off Year
2027 2068
2028 2069
2029 2070
2030 2071

What Happens at Write-Off

The Process

Step What Happens
Date reached Automatic process
SLC notifies You’re written to
Balance cancelled Goes to £0
No action needed From you

Tax Implications

Factor Treatment
Write-off amount Tax-free
Not income Doesn’t count
No penalty Not negative
Simply cancelled Clean slate

Credit File Impact

Issue Reality
Student loan Not on credit file
Write-off No negative impact
Future borrowing Unaffected
Shown on SLC Not credit agencies

Will You Repay Before Write-Off?

Who Typically Repays in Full

Plan Typical Full Repayers
Plan 1 Many (lower balances)
Plan 2 High earners only
Plan 4 Many (lower fees)
Plan 5 Very high earners

Calculation Example

Your Situation Numbers
Loan balance £50,000
Annual repayment £1,500
Years to repay 33 years
Write-off at 30 years
Will you repay? No

Factors Affecting Repayment

Factor Impact
Starting salary Higher = repay more
Career progression More increases = repay faster
Time in work Gaps reduce payments
Years abroad May not repay
Interest rate Balance grows

Should You Overpay?

When Overpaying Makes Sense

Situation Consider Overpaying
Will definitely repay Before write-off
Very high earner Will clear it anyway
Close to clearing Small balance left
Plan 1 Often fully repaid

When NOT to Overpay

Situation Don’t Overpay
Won’t clear before write-off Wasted money
Plan 2 medium earner Likely won’t clear
Plan 5 40 years = unlikely
Better uses Pension, mortgage, saving

The Maths

If Your Loan Will Be Written Off
You have £40,000 remaining
At write-off You’d have repaid £38,000
Overpaying £5,000 Means paying £43,000 vs £38,000
Wasted £5,000

Interest and Balance Growth

How Balances Change

Factor Effect
Interest accrues Balance grows
Repayments Reduce balance
Net effect Often balance grows initially

Interest Rates by Plan

Plan Interest Rate (2025/26)
Plan 1 Lower of RPI or BoE +1%
Plan 2 RPI to RPI +3%
Plan 4 Lower of RPI or BoE +1%
Plan 5 RPI only
Postgraduate RPI to RPI +3%

Balance Growth Example

Year Balance Interest Repayments New Balance
1 £50,000 £3,000 £1,500 £51,500
5 £55,000 £3,300 £2,000 £56,300
10 £58,000 £3,500 £3,000 £58,500

Multiple Loans

If You Have Both Plans

Loans Write-Off
Plan 2 + Postgraduate Each has own write-off
Separate tracking By SLC
Can differ By years

Postgraduate Loan

Feature Details
Separate loan From undergraduate
30-year write-off From April after course
Repaid concurrently With undergraduate

Taking Breaks from Work

Impact on Write-Off

Action Effect
Career break Clock still ticks
Maternity leave Write-off date unchanged
Unemployment Same
Time abroad Date unchanged

Impact on Repayments

Action Effect
Below threshold No repayments
Clock continues Towards write-off
Balance may grow With interest
May never repay Works in your favour

Checking Your Status

How to Check

Method Details
SLC account Online
Balance shown Current
Plan type Confirmed
Repayment forecast Estimated

What to Check

Item Why
Current balance Know where you stand
Plan type Confirms write-off rules
Repayment history All payments recorded
Interest rate Current rate

Summary

Plan Write-Off Period
Plan 1 25 years or age 65
Plan 2 30 years
Plan 4 30 years
Plan 5 40 years
Postgraduate 30 years
Key Points Remember
Automatic No action needed
Tax-free Written off amount
Most don’t repay In full (Plan 2/5)
Don’t overpay If won’t clear anyway
Your Checklist Status
Know your plan type □
Calculated write-off date □
Estimated if you’ll repay □
Decided on overpaying □

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Sources

  1. Student Loans Company — Repayment thresholds
  2. GOV.UK — Student loan repayment