Student loans are the last debt. Pay off, or wait due to the virus?

[broketriathlete]

I'm finally here, about to knock out the last $17K in student loans (down from $120K) but the DW says to wait until this virus stuff is over. Thoughts on that? I have been waiting forever to be debt free minus mortgage, but now I have to wait longer??

Fortunately I own an "essential" business (pool service & repair), but still don't know what to do...lol.

TIA

[lhamo]

If they are federal loans, the interest has been set to 0% through the end of October.  If that is the case I would pile up the cash -- just in case your business suffers from the shutdown (you can continue to work as an essential business but people might not have the funds to hire you if they have been laid off).  Once they raise the interest rates again pay off in a lump sum assuming your financials are still good at that point.

[Villanelle]

If the interest rate is 0%, I would absolutely wait.

Even though you are essential, you might well see a drop in business.  People are home and may decide to do their own pool care, especially if they have lost income and are looking for something to cut.