Write-off summary table
| Plan | Write-off rule |
|---|---|
| Plan 1 (pre-2006 starters) | Earlier of: age 65 or 25 years from first becoming repayable |
| Plan 1 (post-2006 starters) | 25 years from first becoming repayable |
| Plan 2 | 30 years from first becoming repayable |
| Plan 4 | 30 years from first becoming repayable |
| Plan 5 | 40 years from first becoming repayable |
| Postgraduate Loan (PGL) | 30 years from first becoming repayable |
"First becoming repayable" = the April following the end of your course (or when you stopped studying, whichever earlier).
How "first becoming repayable" works
You become liable to repay your student loan in the April after:
- You graduate from your course
- You stop studying (e.g. dropped out, deferred)
- 4 years after the start of an open-ended PhD (special PGL rule)
This is the start of your write-off clock — even if your income is below the threshold and you make zero repayments.
Example for a Plan 2 borrower: - Started uni: September 2018 - Graduated: June 2021 - First became repayable: April 2022 - Write-off: April 2052 (30 years later)
Worked examples
Plan 1 (post-2006), graduated 2010
- First became repayable: April 2011
- 25-year write-off: April 2036
- If still employed at threshold-crossing income through 2036, the borrower will have made deductions for 25 years (potentially repaying most or all of the loan); if income stayed mostly below threshold, the balance may write off with much remaining
Plan 2, graduated 2020
- First became repayable: April 2021
- 30-year write-off: April 2051
- Most Plan 2 borrowers do not fully repay before write-off — government modelling suggests ~25% repay in full
Plan 5, graduated 2026 (first cohort)
- First became repayable: April 2027
- 40-year write-off: April 2067
- Plan 5's 40-year term means many borrowers WILL fully repay; the lower threshold + longer term recovers more revenue
Plan 4, graduated 2024
- First became repayable: April 2025
- 30-year write-off: April 2055
What "written off" means in practice
After the write-off date:
- The remaining balance disappears from your Student Loans Company account
- No further PAYE deductions occur (your employer is notified by HMRC)
- No tax event — the write-off isn't taxable income
- No credit impact — student loans don't appear on credit reports
- No interest accrual on the wiped balance
- No carry-forward to any future tax position
You receive a written confirmation from SLC. The relationship ends cleanly.
Edge cases
What if I'm overseas at write-off?
The write-off applies regardless of residence. If you emigrated and have been repaying via SLC's overseas process, the write-off date is the same as it would be in the UK. After write-off, no further repayments are required from anywhere.
What if I had a break in my career (no PAYE deductions)?
No impact on the write-off date. The clock runs from "first becoming repayable" regardless of how many years you actually repaid. Career breaks, maternity leave, periods of self-employment with low income, all don't extend the write-off date.
What if I die before write-off?
Remaining balance is written off in full at death. Doesn't pass to your estate.
What if I have multiple plans?
Each plan has its own write-off date independently. A borrower with Plan 1 + Plan 2 will see Plan 1 write off (25 years after first becoming repayable on Plan 1) and Plan 2 write off separately at its own 30-year mark.
PGL is the same: write-off at 30 years from PGL becoming repayable, independent of any undergrad plan.
Voluntary early repayment — does write-off make it pointless?
For many borrowers, yes. The write-off rule means:
- If you wouldn't have fully repaid by write-off anyway, voluntary lump-sum payments just reduce the amount written off — no benefit to you
- The "interest avoided" calculation is misleading: extra interest just sits on the balance, written off at the end
- Money kept and invested elsewhere usually returns more than the student loan interest avoided
Cases where voluntary repayment might be worthwhile: - You're earning enough that you'd fully repay in your career anyway → paying down faster reduces interest paid - You're close to the write-off date with a small balance → modest lump sum clears it - You're moving overseas and want to clear the UK loan before relocating
These are minority cases. Specific to circumstances; not advice.
How to verify your write-off date
Log in to your Student Loans Company account at online.slc.co.uk. The account shows:
- Your plan(s)
- Date you first became repayable
- Implied write-off date
- Current balance
If the dates look wrong (e.g. you graduated earlier than the account shows), raise it with SLC directly.
In short
UK student loans write off after a defined period without penalty. Plan 1: 25 years (or age 65 for pre-2006). Plan 2: 30. Plan 4: 30. Plan 5: 40. PGL: 30. After write-off, the balance disappears — no credit impact, no tax event, no further obligation. Your Student Loans Company account shows your specific dates. For the full reference, see the student loans hub →.