Intended Parents

Can We Afford Surrogacy on $300,000 a Year?

Affording surrogacy on a $300,000 salary is possible, though it typically requires strategic planning.

With careful budgeting and financing options like home equity lines of credit or 401(k) withdrawals, your family may be able to make surrogacy work financially.

We can help you get a complete cost breakdown from a surrogacy specialist.

This article will give you cost saving tips and options for affording surrogacy on a $300,000 salary.

Can We Afford Surrogacy on a $300,000 Salary?

If you’re earning $300,000 annually, surrogacy may be a feasible option for building your family.

Surrogacy costs an average of $169,900-$179,000+ depending on factors like surrogate compensation, insurance, IVF fees and the agency you work with.

Learn How One Couple Afforded Surrogacy

Surrogacy costs can vary, but the main expenses often include:

One of the basic surrogacy fees is the agency fee. Agency fees cover the services of a surrogacy agency that helps with matching intended parents to surrogates, providing guidance through the process, and handling logistics.

Surrogate compensation is the cost of the surrogate pregnancy itself—it is the amount paid directly to the surrogate for carrying the pregnancy. The compensation depends on factors such as the surrogate's experience and location.

Medical costs can also be significant. IVF for surrogate mothers cost roughly the same per cycle, and in many cases surrogates can have a higher success rate, which means that you may save money on IVF if you have a surrogate.

Other medical costs include fertility treatments, such as IVF (in vitro fertilization), prenatal care, and delivery. IVF costs are often one of the largest expenses within the surrogacy process.

Legal fees cover the cost of contracts between the surrogate and the intended parents, as well as any necessary legal services to ensure the process is carried out correctly.

Insurance costs may include the cost of covering the surrogate’s health insurance for maternity and delivery, or the purchase of a separate insurance policy if the surrogate's existing policy doesn't cover the pregnancy.

Budgeting for Surrogacy: Cost Saving Tips

In some cases saving money on the overall cost of surrogacy may make it possible for your family to afford surrogacy.

Here are some common cost-saving strategies:

Asking your clinic if there are donated IVF drugs available that you may be able to use
Working with a surrogate in a state with a lower cost of living
Working with a first-time surrogate
Using donor embryos rather than creating embryos for IVF
Enrolling in an identified surrogacy program if you know someone who is willing and able to be your surrogate

How Can I Afford Surrogacy on a $300,000 Salary?

Affording surrogacy on $300,000 will be different depending on what your situation is, but for many families it will take a combination of savings and loans.

Below are some resources that your family can use if you are hoping to afford surrogacy.

Budgeting

Surrogacy is an expensive process, but with careful budgeting and planning, you can make it more affordable. Here are some tips to help you save money:

Cut Back on Non-Essential Spending: Review your current spending habits. Consider eliminating or reducing expenses like entertainment, dining out, or unused memberships. Direct these savings toward your surrogacy fund.
Open a Separate Account for Savings: To make saving easier, open a separate savings account dedicated solely to surrogacy. This helps keep your savings organized and prevents the temptation to dip into your surrogacy fund for other expenses.
Develop a Savings Schedule: Plan your savings by creating a budgeting spreadsheet. You can outline how much you need to save each month to reach your goal within your desired timeframe. This plan will keep you on track and provide a clear financial roadmap.
Leverage Budgeting Apps: Tools like Rocket Money, YNAB, or PocketGuard are great for tracking your finances. They help you organize your budget, monitor spending, and stay on top of your savings goal, making it easier to focus on your surrogacy fund.
Account for Unexpected Costs: Since surrogacy can come with unexpected medical and legal costs, make sure to budget for these potential expenses. Build in extra savings to cover any surprises along the way.

Loans and Other Financial Options

If saving on your own won’t fully cover surrogacy expenses, there are various financial options that may be able to help you:

Personal Loans: A personal loan can help you cover surrogacy costs. With predictable monthly payments and interest rates, this option allows you to borrow a lump sum of money. Be sure to shop around to find the best loan terms.
Surrogacy-Specific Loans: Some lenders specialize in loans for surrogacy. These loans may offer higher borrowing limits or repayment options that align better with the surrogacy timeline.
401(k) Loan or Withdrawal: You may be able to access funds from your 401(k) by borrowing or withdrawing them. If you choose to borrow, you’ll have to repay the loan, but withdrawing funds may lead to taxes and penalties, so it’s important to understand the potential consequences.
Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC): A HELOC can give you access to credit based on your home’s equity. This option typically offers lower interest rates than personal loans but carries the risk of using your home as collateral.
Grants for Surrogacy: There are some grants available to help with the costs of surrogacy. These financial resources are often offered by organizations or foundations, but they are competitive, so it’s important to apply early and meet all necessary requirements.
Employer Benefits and HSA Contributions: Some employers offer fertility benefits that can contribute to the cost of surrogacy, so it’s worth checking with your employer. Additionally, if you have an HSA, you can use it to cover certain medical expenses related to surrogacy.

Reach out to us to find out more about your financial options, or read our guide to affording surrogacy.

Example of Financing Surrogacy

Here are some examples of how you might be able to afford surrogacy with savings and loans:

Example Surrogacy Budget #1: One Year Savings Plan

Total Cost of Surrogacy: $180,000

Starting Savings: $50,000

Save $5k per month x 12 months = $60,000

Home Equity Loan: $70,000 at 8%, 1 year term ~$6,000/month

Example Surrogacy Budget #2: Loan Heavy

Total Cost of Surrogacy: $180,000

Starting Savings: $50,000

Personal loan: $130,000 at 6%, 4 year term ~ $3,000/month

I Can’t Afford Surrogacy—What Are My Options?

Despite all of their best efforts, sometimes families look at the numbers and things don’t add up for surrogacy. If your family is in that position, you still have options.

Wait and Save

If you can’t afford surrogacy now or in the near future, but you know it’s the most ideal option for you and your family, the good news that in many cases, families can pursue surrogacy later in life than options like IVF and adoption, even as late as your late 40s or early 50s.

It is also possible that life circumstances could change and it may be possible in the future—things like promotions, lifestyle changes, and relocations could mean that it is possible later. Until then, it never hurts to put aside what money you can, save sperm, eggs, and embryos, and do research.

Explore Your Paths Forward

If surrogacy isn’t right for your family, there are other options: adoption and IVF still may be possible for your family depending on your circumstances, and some families may also decide that their families are complete as is after considering the options.

Where Do I Start?

You can reach out to us and get more information on how to manage your finances during surrogacy, or read about affording surrogacy here.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do normal people afford surrogacy?

Average people who want to pursue surrogacy can find ways to afford surrogacy by combining financial strategies like building up savings, taking out loans, applying for grants, and pursuing crowdfunding.

What is the highest compensation for surrogacy?

Surrogates can receive compensation up to $110,000 or even more depending on their location and experience.

Can you get financial aid for surrogacy?

In some cases you can get financial aid for surrogacy through grant programs. Some IVF clinics also offer payment plans for families pursuing surrogacy.

What disqualifies you from being a surrogate?

Several factors can disqualify you from being a surrogate including age, not having a previous successful pregnancy, and having health conditions that would put you or a baby at risk if you become pregnant.