Some people assume that paying off their debt will solve all their money problems. They think that after paying off debt, their credit health will improve overnight. But, unfortunately it is not the fact.
Paying off all your debts help your credit score to flourish, but it may not always happen in every case.
At first, you have to understand the factors that can improve credit score.
As per the FICO, the credit score is based on the length of credit, new credit, how much debt you owe, the payment history of your debts, and types of credit you use.
- Payment history — approximately 35%
- Amounts owed — approximately 30%
- Length of credit history — approximately 15%
- New credit — approximately 10%
- Types of credit in use — approximately 10%
4 Points to remember to boost your credit score after paying off debt
1. Late payments are no-no: Making debt payment on time can boost your credit score
If you make payments on time, it will surely affect your score positively.
The age of your credit accounts, new credit and what kinds of credit you have also affect your credit a bit.
No other factors carry as much as a good effect on your credit than making payments on time.
2. The second most important factor is your credit utilization.
It is important because having a low credit utilization is better than having no credit utilization.
If you have no credit utilization, your credit score may drop even after paying off all debt at once.
3. Debt shuffling doesn't help to improve credit score
Paying off debt actually helps to boost your credit score when you repay your debts from your income or savings. Taking out a new loan to make payments on debts doesn't help to improve your credit rating. You are actually shuffling your debt to cut the interest.
If you want to improve your credit score, you have to owe less money overall.
4. Add positive points in your credit rating
Credit score improves with time. Any negative things like defaults, late payments matter less once they get older. If you want to see a good boost on your credit score, you have to add some positive points in your credit report.
If your credit report is full of the same old pile of negative points, it will never help you achieve a good score. Even when the negative points go completely from your credit report after a certain time, your credit score is just a proof as our identity. It has nothing positive to say about you. Thus, you need to be committed with your old credit cards. Instead of applying for new credit cards, use your old credit card and repay it in full every month. Thus, the length of credit history will get enriched and your credit score will improve with time.
How many points will your credit score increase if you pay off all your debt?
Remember, you should maintain a healthy balance of debt-to-income ratio for a good credit score.
However, the amount your credit score will go up depends on where your current credit score is.
If your current credit score is 680 or above, then you will certainly not find any changes.
Should you panic about your dropping credit score after paying off debts?
If your credit score gets a negligible hit after paying off the debts, then no need to worry about it. Like what? If your credit score drops from say, 800 to 780 points, it will not bother you when it comes to getting the best terms on credit.
How can you secure a good credit score?
If you don't want your credit score to drop, then you should follow some tips.
Here you go:
1. Use a small amount of revolving credit regularly
Thus, you will be able to avoid the interest payments by paying the balance in full each month.
Your credit score will show that you are maintaining a lower credit utilization ratio.
According to myFICO.com, "Having more than two to four credit cards with maxed limits is going to hurt your credit."
2. Make sure you make all your monthly payments on time (medical bills, credit card bills, and utility bills)
Remember, utility bills and unpaid medical bills can affect your credit score negatively if they are sent to the collection agency.
3. Review your credit reports carefully
If the data in your credit reports are wrong, your score may drop significantly. So, get your free credit reports and check thoroughly. If you find mistakes, dispute them.
4. Don't apply for new credit
Applying for new credit lowers the average age of your credit accounts. Also, there will be a "hard inquiry", which can drop your credit score temporarily.
5. Pay attention to the loan terms
Be careful while evaluating your current loan terms. If you have some higher interest rate debts, try to pay them off sooner.
6. Pay off all the accounts that are sent to collection
Collection accounts remain on your credit report for 7 years. Thus, paying off accounts sent to collections can increase your credit score with time.
Lastly, you should understand that credit health will not improve all of a sudden. You have to keep patience and continue good financial habits to rebuild a good credit score.
Frequently asked questions
Q: How does paying off debt affect your credit score?
Ans: Many things can happen to your credit score when you repay debt. Your credit score may go up when you pay off collections. FICO 9 and VantageScore 3.0 keep aside paid off collection accounts when they calculate the credit score. This factor itself can help to boost your credit score.
Your credit score may also go up after paying off bad debts due to a lower credit utilization ratio. When you have maxed out your credit cards, your credit utilization ratio goes up. This makes a negative impact on your credit score. However, when you repay the debt, your credit utilization ratio goes down. This helps to increase your credit score.
Credit utilization ratio constitutes 30% of your credit score. High credit utilization ratio is bad for your credit score.
Q: How long after paying off debt does credit score change?
Ans: It depends on various factors. Usually, creditors inform credit activities to credit bureaus once per month. So after you repay the debt, your FICO score may increase within 2 billing cycles.
Keep in mind that paid off accounts stay on credit report for 10 years. Even if you pay off all debts at once, the missed payments will appear on your credit report for 7 years.
Q: Why did my credit score drop after paying off debt?
Ans: Payment history makes a big impact on your FICO score. In fact, it's one of the reasons why your credit score may drop even after paying off all debts. When you pay off student loans, installment loans, and auto loans, your credit score may drop initially. Once you pay off these debts and close the accounts, your payment history will be removed from your credit report and it will become short. This can drop your credit score significantly.
There is yet another scenario when your credit score may drop after paying off debts. This happens when you move from a high credit utilization ratio to zero credit utilization ratio.
Credit utilization ratio acts as a proxy of activity. When you have zero credit utilization ratio, the FICO scoring model assumes that you haven’t done any credit activity recently. This drops your credit score. But don’t panic. There won't be a big drop in your credit score. Read more on Why did my credit score drop after paying down debt?
Q: What is the best way to pay off debt and raise credit score?
Ans: Make payments on time. This is the best way to pay off debt and improve credit score simultaneously. Payment history accounts for 35% of your FICO score. When you make payments on time, it helps to add positive payment history to your credit report. This, in turn, makes a good impact on your FICO score.
Another good way to repay debt and improve credit score at the same time is to pay off the entire amount. Yes, when accounts are paid in full, they make a positive impact on your credit score since you’re paying the full amount. Your account status is updated as paid in full on your credit report. The new account status also leaves a good impression on the potential lenders since they understand that you're a responsible borrower.
Q: Does paying off collections improve credit score?
Ans: One of the most common questions asked in credit forums is, "Will paying off collections improve credit?" Well, the older version of the FICO score didn't do much to soften the negative effect of a collection account even after it was paid off. However, the FICO 9 and VantageScore 3.0 don't include collection accounts in their calculations when they are paid off. So, after paying off bad debt, you can expect to see a higher credit score. Recently, one of my friend's credit score bumped by 170 points after paying off collections.
Q: Should I pay off all my debt?
Ans: Keeping a tiny balance on your credit card is better than paying off all your debts. A zero balance on credit cards signifies lack of activity whereas when the balance is $2 or $3, it means that there are some activities on your part. This somewhere implies that you're a responsible consumer who manages credit cards really well. FICO score model gives you a thumbs up for that.
Q: How do I pay off my debt?
Ans: You can repay debt in various ways. For instance, you can settle your debts through OVLG's debt settlement program wherein you have to pay less than what you owe. If you don't like the features of a settlement program, then you can amalgamate your debts into a single monthly payment at a low-interest rate.
Despite the numerous benefits of a debt settlement and consolidation program, if you want to avoid both of them, then call 800-530-OVLG to get free debt counseling and explore little known ways to pay back your creditors.
