Please help me figure out what to do here for the last 22 payments until 120.
Brief history:
Loans were consolidated with SAVE application in 2024. Applied for IBR after SAVE went away. Got on IBR 6/2025. Payment about $1800 with a salary of roughly 260000. Tax wise married, filed separately.
Income increased for 2025 tax return to $277000.
Now upon recertification, ED website automatically imports income information and suddenly calculates $2800 monthly payment for IBR. Besides the raise, nothing else changed (tax filings, marriage, no kids...). Confusingly, the ED website now recommends PAYE, with a payment of roughly $1800.
My first questions: Is this a mistake? If this is the correct IBR amount, why was my payment much lower after getting on IBR in 2025? If not, why does it come up with this amount now?
The second question regarding PSLF: Should I switch to PAYE? I know it goes away but I should be able to get to 120 before 7/2028.
I'd appreciate any input regarding the sudden jump in payment and whether a switch in my situation would be advisable.
Thank you!