New York Times Suggests “Death” For Those Who Can’t Repay Student Loans

In the wake of the Supreme Court ruling Joe Biden cannot unilaterally cancel student loan debt, The New York Times wrote an eyebrow-raising piece on how to cancel student loan debt. 

Columnist Ron Lieber said “death” was among the six methods people can use to cancel their student loan debts.

The other methods of canceling student loan debts included: income-driven repayment, public service loan forgiveness, closed or low-performing schools, bankruptcy discharge, and disability discharge.

The outlet faced backlash for saying “death” was one method to cancel student loan debts.

“NYT what the f*** are you doing bro,” said MSNBC contributor Katelyn Burns.

NYT what the fuck are you doing bro pic.twitter.com/mK6WbLLsPZ

— Katelyn Burns (@transscribe) June 30, 2023

“Is the New York Times recommending… choosing death as an option for debt holders?” Louis Peitzman wrote.

Is the New York Times recommending… choosing death as an option for debt holders? https://t.co/oBssMVXFTM

— Louis Peitzman (@LouisPeitzman) June 30, 2023

“We’ve reached the point where The New York Times is suggesting death as a viable solution to crushing student debt,” former Secretary of Labor Robert Reich said.

We've reached the point where The New York Times is suggesting death as a viable solution to crushing student debt. https://t.co/dGss9JjP3h

— Robert Reich (@RBReich) June 30, 2023

After the criticism for the shocking column, The New York Times quickly edited the piece to say “debt won’t carry on.”

Debt Won’t Carry On

If you’re a young adult wondering about the federal PLUS loans your relatives took out to pay for your education, you may be wondering whether the debt dies with the person or people who take it on.

It does. The federal government will not make a claim on their estate, and you will not inherit the balance.

Fox News reports:

A New York Times column raised eyebrows Friday after stating that “death” was one way for people to still cancel their student loan debts.

Among six methods Ron Lieber included to get rid of student loan debt, such as signing up for student loan forgiveness and filing for bankruptcy, he included that debt “dies with the person or people who take it on.”

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This option was given for students worried that the debt their loved ones took out for their schooling would pass on to them if those loved ones died. Lieber assured them it wouldn’t.

The Times published the article shortly after the Supreme Court struck down President Biden’s student loan handout on Friday. The handout, which he proposed last year, sought to cancel up to $10,000 in federal loans per borrower making less than $125,000 a year and up to $20,000 per borrower for those who used Pell Grants in college.

Critics claimed Biden’s plan would have cost more than $400 billion and was unfair to those who paid their loans or never took on debt.