Worst Student-Loan Payers: 40-Somethings

By Evann Gastaldo, Newser Staff

Think recent grads struggle the most with their student loans? Think again. New data from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York reveals it's actually people aged 40 to 49 with the highest rate of student-loan delinquency.

Some 11.9% of people in that age group are behind on payments by 90 days or more, the Los Angeles Times reports. Compare that to 9.1% for those in their 30s, 9.4% for those in their 50s, and 9.5% for those 60 or older.

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Those under 30 are the least delinquent -- just 6.2% have fallen behind by 90 days or more -- but that's probably because they're young enough to be allowed to defer payments, the Times notes.

The paper also theorizes that 40-somethings have bigger financial burdens than those in other age groups, since they are likely saving for retirement as well as their own kids' college tuition. That age group has been the most delinquent since at least 2005, but things are getting a wee bit better: Last year its rate was even higher -- 13.1%.



--Written by Evann Gastaldo of Newser