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Debt settlement is a debt relief strategy where you negotiate with creditors to pay less than the full amount you owe, often through a lump-sum payment. In some cases, a creditor will accept as little as 50% of your balance. 

A successful debt settlement has the potential to save you money and get you out of debt, but it comes with serious trade-offs, including potential fees, damage to your credit, and tax liabilities. There's also no guarantee that your lender will agree to settle your debt. 

It's important to understand these pros and cons to determine whether debt settlement is a viable path for you.  

While you can pursue debt settlement on your own, there are companies that offer debt settlement services and negotiate directly with the lender on your behalf. Here are the steps you'll typically take to settle a debt: 

Step 1: Stop paying. A debt settlement company will usually tell you to stop paying your loans. Stopping payments will give you leverage to negotiate, since your creditors may prefer partial repayment to no repayment at all. 

Step 2: Save funds in a dedicated account. Instead of making payments on your debts, you'll deposit funds into a separate savings account. If the settlement is successful, you'll use those funds to pay off the negotiated debts in a lump sum. A settlement company must tell you how much you need to save upfront before it will begin negotiations. 

Step 3: Negotiate with the lender. Once you have enough in savings, you or the debt settlement company will negotiate with the lender and make a settlement offer. The creditor may agree to close the debt for a smaller amount. 

Step 4: Pay off the debt. If the settlement is successful, you'll send off the agreed payment. Make sure to get written confirmation that the debt has been settled and your account is closed. 

The entire debt settlement process can be lengthy, often lasting two to four years. The exact timeline depends on how much debt you have, how long it takes to save up a settlement amount, and how many creditors you owe.

Related: Credit counseling vs. debt settlement

Debt settlement is generally an option for unsecured debts that aren't backed by collateral. These include credit cards, personal loans, private student loans, and medical bills. 

Secured debts that are tied to collateral, on the other hand, may not be possible to settle. These include mortgages (backed by your home) and auto loans (backed by your car). 

Settling federal student loans may be an option in select cases, but first explore alternative forms of relief, such as income-driven repayment, deferment, forbearance, and forgiveness programs.

Debt settlement may offer relief from debt, but it comes with significant downsides, too. Consider both the pros and cons of this form of debt relief. 

It can reduce your balance: If you're able to successfully settle a debt, you can pay it off for considerably less than what you owe. 

You can end collector calls: By closing out your debts, you'll no longer have to deal with communications from collection agencies. 

You could avoid bankruptcy: Debt settlement can be an alternative to bankruptcy, which can be even more damaging to your credit. 

A company can negotiate on your behalf: If you work with a debt settlement company, professionals can handle negotiations with your creditors on your behalf. 

It will damage your credit: When you stop paying your debts, those missed payments are reported to the credit bureaus, which hurts your credit score. A low credit score and delinquent accounts make it hard to get approved for new credit in the future. 

You could face a tax bill: If your creditor agrees to settle your debt, the amount that's canceled is treated as taxable income if it's more than $600. So if you settle a $10,000 debt for $7,000, you'll owe taxes on the $3,000 that was forgiven. 

Settlement companies may charge high fees: Debt settlement companies often charge you a percentage of your debt amount, usually between 15% and 25%. You may also have to pay a monthly fee for the dedicated savings account. 

There's no guarantee of success: Creditors don't have to approve a debt settlement or work with a debt settlement company. If they refuse your offer, you'll face an even higher balance due to late fees and interest charges, as well as damaged credit. 

DIY

Debt settlement company

Cost

No fees, just the settlement amount

15%-25% of enrolled debt, plus potential account fees

Effort

You handle all negotiations yourself

Company negotiates on your behalf

Expertise

Depends on your own research and comfort level

Professionals experienced in creditor negotiations

Time commitment

Higher: You manage calls, paperwork, and follow-ups

Lower: Company manages the process

Risks

Time-consuming and stressful

Potential lack of expertise

Total responsibility for the process

Fees cut into your savings

Less control over outcomes

Not all settlement companies are reputable

Best for

Simple situations with only a few debts

Comfortable negotiating directly

Wants to avoid fees

Multiple debts across creditors

Willing to pay for convenience

Wants structured support

You can attempt to settle debts on your own or hire a debt settlement company to help you navigate the process. Handling negotiations on your own could make sense if you have a relatively straightforward situation and are comfortable negotiating with your creditors. 

You'll need to save enough to offer a lump-sum payment, and it may help if you can demonstrate that you're facing financial hardship. You'll avoid the fees that settlement companies charge, but you'll also have to manage the entire process on your own. 

If that sounds overwhelming, hiring a debt settlement company may be preferable. Professionals can take some of the work off your plate by negotiating with creditors on your behalf. 

They'll guide you through the process step by step, which usually involves: 

Enrolling your qualifying debts 

Making monthly deposits into a dedicated savings account 

Waiting while the company negotiates your settlement 

The downside of hiring a debt settlement company is the potential for high fees, often a significant percentage of the debt you enroll. You may also have to pay a separate fee for your dedicated savings account. 

It's important to understand the fees before you enroll. If the company isn't upfront about costs or demands payment before a debt is negotiated, you could be dealing with a debt settlement scam. Beware of any companies that lack transparency, use high-pressure sales tactics, or promise specific results. 

No debt settlement company can guarantee success, since the final decision is up to your creditor. 

Debt settlement has a negative impact on your credit, since it typically requires you to stop paying back your debts for a period of time. Your payment history accounts for 35% of your FICO credit score, so missing payments can cause significant damage that lasts for years. 

If your debt is settled, the account will also appear as "settled for less than full amount" or similar on your credit report. This information can be a red flag for future lenders, who may be hesitant to extend new credit to consumers with a history of settled debt. 

Late payments and settled debts typically stay on your credit report for up to seven years, though the negative impact can lessen over time. If you do settle your debts, there are steps you can take to rebuild your credit, such as: 

Making on-time payments on any future loans and credit cards 

Keeping your credit utilization on your credit cards below 30% 

Using a credit-building tool, such as a secured credit card or credit-builder loan 

Becoming an authorized user on someone else's credit card 

Using a service that reports your rent and utility payments to the credit bureaus 

Avoid opening lots of new credit accounts in a short period of time 

Your credit score is based on multiple factors, but payment history and credit utilization are two of the most important. Paying your bills on time and keeping your credit utilization low can help you rebuild your credit over time. 

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