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Is credit card debt forgiveness worth it in today's economy?

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When credit card users look closely, they may realize that debt forgiveness is still worth pursuing, even in today's economic climate. Getty Images/iStockphoto

There's been no shortage of economic developments for Americans to keep track of in recent months. Inflation, after rising for four consecutive months, fell again in February and March, giving many a sense of relief. But interest rates remain high and have not been cut since the Federal Reserve issued a 25 basis point reduction in December 2024. And another cut now appears unlikely, for when the bank meets again in May. In the interim, tariff policies have reverberated throughout the market, causing stocks to both plunge and surge in just over a week. All of this is enough to give even the basic consumer and borrower whiplash, but for those coping with serious, high-rate credit card debt, the concern is more pressing.

With credit card interest rates hovering around their highest point on record and with few effective alternatives to pay down high-rate debt, many Americans may find themselves exploring their credit card debt forgiveness options right now. Also known as debt settlement, credit card debt forgiveness can potentially wipe away 30% to 50% of your existing debt, giving you a viable pathway back toward financial stability and freedom. But is credit card debt forgiveness specifically worth pursuing in today's unique economic climate, or are alternatives preferable? That's what we'll break down below.

Check your credit card debt forgiveness eligibility online today.

Is credit card debt forgiveness worth it in today's economy?

While this may be a question many credit card holders are contemplating right now, it's not exactly the right question to be asking. That's because high-rate credit card debt, if already accumulated, won't just vanish overnight (or even over an extended period), regardless of the state of the economy. 

That accumulation of debt, instead, will need to be painstakingly dealt with, even if all broader economic datapoints pointed toward immediate improvement. But, in today's economy, it's a mixed bag, emphasizing the need to secure credit card debt relief sooner rather than later. Here are three primary reasons why credit card debt forgiveness can still be worth pursuing even in today's economy:

Rate relief is hard to predict: Sure, inflation has declined in recent months, but it's still slightly above where the Federal Reserve wants it. And even if it falls low enough, recent comments from Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell indicate that higher rates for longer could remain the norm. Finally, any rate cut relief from the Fed when it does eventually materialize is likely to have a muted impact on your credit card debt as the rate on your card is tied to the prime rate, not the federal funds rate Powell and the bank adjust. So, waiting for help there is sort of a moot point.

Get started with credit card debt forgiveness here now.

Your interest is compounding: Even if you could be promised rate relief ahead and even if you could completely refrain from using your credit card any further, the interest on the debt you've already built up will continue to compound, making your current debt load even harder to sort through. Considering that the average credit card rate is over 20% now and the average credit card debt is around $8,000, it's simple to see how this is already a major problem. Fortunately, one of the major credit card debt forgiveness items for eligibility is tied to the debt amount in existence. So if you're one of those with that $8,000, you may already qualify (the baseline is typically $5,000 to $10,000).

Your other financial obligations are pressing: Sure, credit card debt can feel all-consuming. But other economic factors in play right now could also be hurting your bottom line. Inflation, for example, not only erodes the purchasing power of the dollar but could have resulted in you using other means to make ends meet (think personal loans or home equity borrowing). So, contending with those items is also important, particularly if you borrowed home equity which could result in your home being foreclosed on if you fail to make repayments. With these other concerns also worth addressing now, it may make sense to at least let a debt relief servicer work toward eliminating your outstanding credit card debt balance in the interim.

The bottom line

Credit card debt forgiveness isn't for everyone and it won't be right for every cardholder even in today's unique economic atmosphere. But for those contending with high-rate debt, waiting for the Federal Reserve to adjust their policies or for inflation to fall further simply doesn't make sense. With your existing debt compounding and separate financial obligations pressing, it could be worth exploring your credit card debt forgiveness eligibility now. So consider reaching out to a debt relief servicer today who can help you determine your next steps, either with a forgiveness program or some other alternative suited to your specific debt situation.

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