<prompt> Human: I started with about 68K in student debt in 2012, and now have about 38K left. I am on a income based replacement plan now capped at 10 of salary...for the first few years of repayment I was on a 20 of salary repayment plan because of dishonest communication on Sallie Maes part I believe there is a class action law suit against them for these types of complaints. Anyway, my payments are about 400month, but I typically try to pay 750-1000month so I can pay it down quicker because the interest is not doing me any favors. I am wondering if I should continue paying more than my minimum balance towards the loans, or contribute some of that to a 401K or IRA. My company does not match or contribute anything at this time. I havent been contributing to a retirement plan for 2 years since I started this new job.  <response>: All we need to know is the one thing you didnt tell us - the interest rate on the debt. 