Latest Posts in Pedro Gomez, CFP®

Pedro Gomez is the new Student Loan Sherpa and a Certified Financial Planner™ with over a decade of experience helping clients navigate complex financial decisions. He is the founder of Global Financial Plan, where he writes about international living, geoarbitrage, and strategies for retiring young, and also leads Brickell Financial Group, a registered investment advisory firm focused on accelerating financial freedom. Pedro is the architect behind the “12 Levels of Financial Freedom” framework and blends student loan strategy with long-term planning, tax efficiency, and investing. His work is especially geared toward upwardly mobile professionals, entrepreneurs, and those looking to design a life beyond the default path. Pedro is available for strategy sessions and press inquiries.

Should borrowers save for buyback to get forgiveness

Will the SAVE Pause Eventually Count Toward Forgiveness?

Probably not. Interest started accruing again on August 1, 2025. The Department of Education still says the months spent in SAVE-related forbearance won’t count toward forgiveness — and that hasn’t changed. There’s still some hope that borrowers might get retroactive credit later, but that hope is shrinking fast.

Editorial illustration representing Public Service Loan Forgiveness employer verification

PSLF Employer Lookup: How to Search and Verify Eligibility

If your employer doesn’t qualify for PSLF, none of your payments count — no matter how long you’ve been making them. Here’s how to verify your eligibility the right way.

calculator used to determine monthly payments on new SAVE IDR plan

SAVE Plan Calculator: Estimate Your Student Loan (Suspended)

The new SAVE plan will offer the lowest monthly payment for the vast majority of borrowers.

Student Loan Borrower considers repayment plan options.

PAYE vs IBR After SAVE: How to Choose Your Next Student Loan Plan

The SAVE repayment plan has been officially vacated, and borrowers must transition to a new repayment option. For most, the choice is now a three-way comparison between PAYE, IBR, and the new RAP plan—income-driven options that differ significantly in flexibility, eligibility, and long-term stability. This guide explains how these plans function following the March 2026 court ruling, how the July 2026 launch of the RAP plan affects your choices, and how to select a path that protects your forgiveness progress without guessing your future income.

Federal student loan borrowers contact sloan servicing

Sloan Servicing: Why Your Student Loans Were Moved Here

Sloan Servicing is a Nelnet branch that manages older FFEL student loans. Learn how Sloan student loans work, whether you need to consolidate for SAVE or PSLF, and how to manage repayment.

Does Deferment or Forbearance Time Count for Student Loan Forgiveness?

Time in deferment or forbearance usually doesn’t count toward PSLF or IDR forgiveness, though narrow processing exceptions and upcoming retroactive options may apply.

Should I Empty My Retirement Accounts to Pay Off My Student Loans?

Thinking about cashing out your 401(k) or IRA to erase student loans? It’s possible — but usually costly. Between taxes, penalties, and decades of lost compound growth, most borrowers come out behind. This guide breaks down when it might make sense, why it usually doesn’t, and smarter alternatives to protect your retirement.