<prompt> Human: We both went to medical school and took out the maximum amount. Now, with interest, our cumulative debt is 640,000. We are debating paying the standard installments vs income-based repayment IBR. It will cost us 4000mo each if we pay the standard installment and our debt will be gone in 10 years. Otherwise, our IBR will be 2500mo each based on 400,000 combined salary. Our debt would be with us for 25 years if we go the IBR route, but the extra 3kmonth could potentially go to retirement. I thought asking the hivemind for advice could generate some good ideas about which route to go.  <response>: If the interest rate is above 6, I would pay the standard installment or more to pay it off as quickly as possible. You might do better in the stock market... then again, you might not. 6 guaranteed return on investment is pretty good. Im also the type of person who would rather not have any loans at all, so that factors into my advice a little bit. 