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What Are the Pros and Cons of Deferred Payment?

Geri Terzo
Geri Terzo

Debt obligations cannot always be addressed when the time comes to repay a financial obligation. It is sometimes possible to pursue a deferred payment strategy, which postpones the repayment of a loan. On the plus side, this gives the debtor additional time to improve financial conditions without a threat of default or the application of government tax liens. All of the features of a deferred payment are not ideal as interest payments continue to accrue and the borrower may be subject to additional fees. Business commerce also presents an opportunity for deferred payments, although some party must bear the risk of potential lost income.

When a student takes out a college loan, such as government-sponsored financial aid, the individual might have every intention of repaying the debt upon graduation. There are factors that can interfere with this plan that might not allow the immediate repayment of a college loan. A lending facility or federal government agency might allow a deferred payment plan for a period of time due to extenuating circumstances. Meanwhile, a student borrower can focus on earning income so that payments can be started or resumed before the deferment period ends. The longer that payments are deferred, the higher the interest payments are likely to be because interest continues to be applied even as payments are missed.

Certain loans are meant to be deferred intentionally.
Certain loans are meant to be deferred intentionally.

Certain loans are designed to be deferred intentionally rather than merely presented as an option. Home owners, for instance, might qualify for a home improvement loan that does not need to be repaid for a period of months. A benefit is that a borrower can have repairs and upgrades done and furnish a home without having to make immediate payments. The risk for the lender is the chance that a borrower may not be in a position to begin making payments when the deferment ends.

Payment on some kinds of loans may not be eligible for deferment.
Payment on some kinds of loans may not be eligible for deferment.

International trade may also present deferred payment options to importers and exporters of goods. When a business sells goods to a company in another nation, especially early in the relationship, there are risks associated with the unknowns that are involved. Financial institutions can serve as intermediaries and provide some protection against the financial risks. For instance, a bank might extend a deferred payment option to an importing entity on behalf of the exporter for a number of days. In the event that the importer is not able to make the scheduled payments as planned, the bank becomes liable for the amount that was credited.

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Discussion Comments

Mykol

We took out a home equity line of credit to make some improvements to our home. We didn't have to make monthly payments on this loan, so having the option of a deferred payment loan was attractive to us.

In my experience, I would say if there is any way you can make payments on something like this, it is the better way to go. You never know what can happen and you might not be able to repay the loan as agreed.

My husband ended up losing his job and when we needed to begin making payments, did not have the extra income to do so.

Even though this sounds like a good thing initially, I think it is better to pay as you go and not let yourself get in a situation like this. You never know what your financial situation might be down the road.

SarahSon

When my son was without a job for several months, he was given the option to defer payments on his student loans. All of his loan were combined with one organization, so this made it a lot easier.

Even though this helped him out quite a bit when he didn't have any income coming in, the interest payments continued to accrue.

This was still better than the option of not making payments and defaulting on the student loan. That is something that always stays on your record, and he didn't want that to happen.

Once he found a job and had steady income coming in, he was ready to begin making payments. He was surprised at how fast those interest payments added up. It was probably so much because he had not been out of school very long and most of his payments were going to interest instead of principal.

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    • Certain loans are meant to be deferred intentionally.
      By: Christopher Meder
      Certain loans are meant to be deferred intentionally.
    • Payment on some kinds of loans may not be eligible for deferment.
      By: Brian Jackson
      Payment on some kinds of loans may not be eligible for deferment.