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Digital Realty Trust Employees Should be Aware that the Student Loan Payment Pause was Extended Through January 2022

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How Digital Realty Trust employees can navigate federal student loan repayment: This article provides a framework for Digital Realty Trust employees to understand the current federal student loan landscape and make the most of available repayment options and employer benefits, suggests Tyson Mavar, a representative from The Retirement Group, a division of Wealth Enhancement Group.

Wesley Boudreaux of The Retirement Group, a division of Wealth Enhancement Group, advises Digital Realty Trust employees with federal student loans to take stock of their current repayment plan and explore the updated options available now that the pandemic-era payment pause has ended.

In this article, we will cover:

The end of the federal student loan payment pause: A summary of the pandemic-era moratorium and what happened when repayment resumed.

The effects on Digital Realty Trust employees: How the current repayment environment affects both personal and Parent PLUS Loans.

New employer benefits and available programs: What Digital Realty Trust employees can take advantage of under current law.

Background: The student loan payment pause has ended.

Federal student loan repayment resumed on September 1, 2023, after more than three years of pandemic-era relief. The COVID-19 payment pause, which began in March 2020 under the CARES Act, was extended multiple times. After the U.S. Supreme Court's June 2023 ruling blocked broad student loan cancellation, the final pause ended and repayment restarted. The Department of Education implemented a one-year on-ramp period through October 2024, during which missed payments did not trigger credit reporting -- but interest continued to accrue. As of late 2024, standard monthly repayment is fully in effect for all Digital Realty Trust employees with federal student loans.

Digital Realty Trust employees nearing retirement should be aware that Parent PLUS Loans -- federal loans that parents can take out to help pay for their children's education -- resumed repayment along with all other federal loans in 2023. Income-driven repayment (IDR) options remain available for eligible borrowers. Digital Realty Trust employees should note, however, that the Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) plan -- introduced in 2023 as the most generous IDR option -- was blocked by federal courts in 2024 and is currently in administrative forbearance while legal challenges are resolved. Time spent in SAVE forbearance does not count toward Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF), and borrowers cannot make qualifying PSLF payments while in the plan. Two other IDR plans -- Income-Contingent Repayment (ICR) and Pay As You Earn (PAYE) -- are being phased out and will end in mid-2028. The standard 10-year repayment plan and Income-Based Repayment (IBR) remain fully available.

Does interest accrue during current forbearance periods?

Yes. Unlike the pandemic-era pause, the SAVE administrative forbearance does accrue interest. Digital Realty Trust employees enrolled in SAVE who are in administrative forbearance may wish to consider voluntary payments to prevent interest buildup.

Do private student loans qualify for income-driven repayment?

No. Digital Realty Trust employees should remember that private student loans are not eligible for federal IDR plans, PSLF, or federal forbearance protections. Only federal government-held loans -- including Federal Direct Loans, Federal Perkins Loans, and FFEL Program loans held by the Department of Education -- are eligible.

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Digital Realty Trust employees whose employer offers student loan repayment assistance should be aware of a significant development: the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), signed into law in July 2025, permanently extended the employer benefit allowing companies to contribute up to $5,250 per year toward an employee's student loan repayment on a tax-free basis. This benefit was originally a temporary CARES Act provision. Digital Realty Trust employees are encouraged to check with their HR department to determine whether this benefit is available and to contact their loan servicer to review their current repayment plan status.

Sources:

U.S. Department of Education. 'Federal Student Loan Payment Restart.' StudentAid.gov, 2023, studentaid.gov/announcements-events/covid-19 .
U.S. Department of Education. 'Repayment Plans.' StudentAid.gov, 2025, studentaid.gov/manage-loans/repayment/plans .
NPR. 'Federal student loans are changing. Here’s what to expect in 2026.' NPR, December 2025, www.npr.org .
U.S. Congress. One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Signed July 2025.
Federal Reserve Bank of New York. 'Household Debt and Credit Report.' Federal Reserve Bank of New York, Q4 2025, www.newyorkfed.org/microeconomics/hhdc .

What type of retirement savings plan does Digital Realty Trust offer to its employees?

Digital Realty Trust offers a 401(k) retirement savings plan to its employees.

Does Digital Realty Trust match employee contributions to the 401(k) plan?

Yes, Digital Realty Trust provides a matching contribution to employee 401(k) contributions, subject to certain limits.

What is the eligibility requirement for employees to participate in the Digital Realty Trust 401(k) plan?

Employees of Digital Realty Trust are eligible to participate in the 401(k) plan after completing a specified period of service.

Can employees of Digital Realty Trust choose how their 401(k) contributions are invested?

Yes, employees of Digital Realty Trust can select from a variety of investment options for their 401(k) contributions.

What is the maximum contribution limit for the Digital Realty Trust 401(k) plan?

The maximum contribution limit for the Digital Realty Trust 401(k) plan aligns with the IRS limits, which may change annually.

Does Digital Realty Trust offer a Roth 401(k) option?

Yes, Digital Realty Trust offers a Roth 401(k) option, allowing employees to make after-tax contributions.

What happens to my 401(k) account if I leave Digital Realty Trust?

If you leave Digital Realty Trust, you can either roll over your 401(k) balance to another retirement account or leave it in the Digital Realty Trust plan, subject to the plan's rules.

Are there any fees associated with the Digital Realty Trust 401(k) plan?

Yes, there may be administrative fees associated with the Digital Realty Trust 401(k) plan, which are disclosed in the plan documents.

How often can employees change their contribution amounts in the Digital Realty Trust 401(k) plan?

Employees of Digital Realty Trust can change their contribution amounts at designated times throughout the year, as outlined in the plan guidelines.

Does Digital Realty Trust provide educational resources for employees regarding their 401(k) plan?

Yes, Digital Realty Trust offers educational resources and tools to help employees understand their 401(k) plan options and investment choices.

With the current political climate we are in it is important to keep up with current news and remain knowledgeable about your benefits.

Digital Realty Trust offers a 401(k) plan known as the "Digital Realty Trust, L.P. 401(K) PLAN" through Fidelity. This plan covers approximately 1,499 employees, providing them with options for retirement savings. Employees are eligible to contribute to the 401(k) plan, and Digital Realty Trust offers a matching contribution to help enhance retirement savings. As for pension plans, the details specific to Digital Realty Trust employees include qualifications based on years of service and age, but further specifics regarding the pension formula or plan name were not explicitly detailed in the documents reviewed. The 401(k) plan information and general retirement benefits were outlined across various documents, including retirement plan comparison charts for 2023 and specific plan details

Restructuring and Layoffs: Digital Realty Trust announced a series of layoffs and organizational restructuring in late 2023. This decision was driven by the need to streamline operations and reduce costs amid a challenging economic environment. The company aimed to enhance operational efficiency and better align its workforce with its strategic goals. Importance: Addressing these changes is crucial due to the current economic climate, which has seen fluctuating market conditions and increased pressure on companies to optimize their operations. Understanding these moves helps in assessing the broader impact on the job market and corporate strategies.

Digital Realty Trust (DLR) offers a combination of stock options and Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) as part of their compensation packages, particularly aimed at executives and high-level employees. These incentives are designed to align employee interests with the company’s performance and long-term shareholder value. In 2022, 2023, and 2024, Digital Realty Trust issued RSUs under its long-term incentive plans (LTIPs), granted based on performance metrics and tenure. Stock options typically follow a vesting schedule, where employees gain the right to exercise options after specific periods. RSUs at Digital Realty Trust are often given to senior management and other key contributors to foster retention and incentivize long-term growth. Eligibility for these programs typically includes employees at the Director level and above, but some RSUs are also extended to other tiers as part of strategic retention efforts. Digital Realty (DLR) emphasizes using performance-based RSUs to drive business outcomes and reward top talent, aligning with the company’s broader financial goals.

Digital Realty Trust Careers Page: The company's official website provides a general overview of employee benefits, including health insurance options, wellness programs, and employee assistance programs. However, detailed specifics for each year may not be available on the website. Employee reviews on Glassdoor suggest that Digital Realty Trust offers competitive health benefits, including medical, dental, and vision insurance. Employees have noted that the company provides a range of wellness programs and preventive care options. Indeed: Similar to Glassdoor, Indeed reviews highlight that the company provides comprehensive health insurance options and wellness benefits. Specific details about annual changes in benefits might be less clear.

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For more information you can reach the plan administrator for Digital Realty Trust at 120 Kearny St, Suite 800 San Francisco, CA 94104; or by calling them at (415) 738-6500.

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