<prompt> Human: Im a pharmacist and I came out of school with about 174k of debt with an aggregate interest rate of about 7. The government now has a repayment option where you can pay a percentage of your discretionary income for 20 years. At the end of that period, the remaining balance will be forgiven, but the borrower has to pay taxes on it as if it were earned income. I have paid off all of my other consumer debt and now only have a mortgage on a rental property and my federal debt. At this point, Im trying to decide if the opportunity cost of paying my student debt aggressively is worth it. I realize the notion of NOT paying off the debt quickly is against conventional wisdom, but when I run the numbers it looks like it might be beneficial to just ride it out, in terms of building a better retirement account and saving for a new house. Here are the numbers:Debt paying budget: 3kmonth if I love eating RamenMinimum payment on student debt: 1kmonth will vary, depending on my taxable income10 year payoff payments: 2kmonth if I refinance through private lender.Remember, Im a pharmacist, not an accountant. Thats why Im asking all of you smart people. Thanks!  <response>: Numbers wise, if you invest the difference and pay the tax then you probably come out ahead.Still, thats not how this system is supposed to work and a lot of people end up worse off as a result.Plus you end up suffering under it for twice as long, which matters.In general, I would suggest if you can pay it then do. 