What is the new Student Loan Overpayment Calculator?

It compares your baseline mandatory repayments with optional overpayment scenarios so you can see differences in total paid, years to clear, and write-off reduction by plan.

Does the calculator support Plan 5 and Postgraduate loans?

Yes. The tool now supports Plan 1, 2, 4, 5, and Postgraduate for scenario testing.

Does overpaying always save money on student loans?

No. It depends on whether your baseline path already leads to full repayment before write-off. In many cases, especially where write-off is likely, overpayments can increase total lifetime cash paid.

How should I interpret the overpayment signal?

Treat it as a planning indicator, not advice. Focus on three outputs together: lifetime cash impact, write-off reduction, and timeline change.

March 2026

New: Student Loan Overpayment Calculator (Plan 5, 2, 1, 4 + Postgrad)

Compare baseline vs overpayment outcomes across all plans so you can decide with cleaner numbers.

31 Mar 2026 · Money Meister · 2 min read

Why We Built This

Plan 5 changed the conversation. With a lower threshold and a 40-year write-off period, many borrowers are now asking a harder question than "how much do I repay this month?".

The real question is whether voluntary overpayments change your actual outcome. For some profiles, they do. For others, they just reduce a balance that would have been written off anyway.

What the New Calculator Adds

Plan 1, 2, 4, 5, and Postgraduate support
Baseline vs overpayment scenario comparison
Monthly, one-off, and combined overpayment modes
Lifetime cash impact and write-off reduction metrics
Year-by-year projection table for both paths

Try it now in the Student Loan Overpayment Calculator.

Plan 5 vs Plan 2: Why This Matters

Plan 2 is often described as a "graduate tax" style outcome for many earners because write-off risk is high. Plan 5 has a longer repayment window, which can push more borrowers toward eventual full repayment.

That means the value of overpayment can differ materially between otherwise similar borrowers. A single rule of thumb is not enough.

If you want the full framework, read the updated UK Student Loan Guide.

How to Use It in 3 Minutes

Select your correct plan and current balance.
Enter realistic salary growth.
Compare baseline vs overpayment and review all three outputs: lifetime cash impact, write-off reduction, and timeline change.

Then layer in wider planning context with the UK Tax Calculator and Mortgage Affordability Calculator.

Important Assumption Note

The calculator is built for planning and uses simplified interest assumptions so scenarios are comparable. It is not an official SLC statement. Always verify your balance and plan details against GOV.UK and Student Loans Company records.

Sources: Money Meister product release notes (March 2026). Student loan repayment thresholds and rates sourced from HMRC and Student Loans Company. All tools available on moneymeister.co.uk.

Why We Built This

What the New Calculator Adds

Plan 5 vs Plan 2: Why This Matters

How to Use It in 3 Minutes

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