Intended Parents

Can We Afford Surrogacy on a $200,000 Salary?

Affording surrogacy on a $200,000 salary is possible for many families with planning and financial resources.

When you create a detailed budget and consider financing options, your family may be able to make surrogacy work financially.

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

In this article we will provide information for affording surrogacy on $200,000 and some possible scenarios for how to plan.

Can We Afford Surrogacy on a 200,000 Salary?

Affording surrogacy on a $200,000 salary is possible for many families, but it depends on your current financial situation, how much you have saved and how you plan to manage costs.

Surrogacy usually costs around $169,900-$179,000+, and many people don’t have that amount readily available.

Learn How One Couple Afforded Surrogacy

Here’s what you can expect from your potential surrogacy costs:

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.

Planning Your Budget: Cost Saving Tips:

To reduce the overall costs of surrogacy, here are some options:

Using donor embryos rather than creating embryos
Working with a surrogate in a state with lower cost of living
Enrolling in an identified surrogacy program if you know someone who is willing to be your surrogate
Working with a first-time surrogate
Asking your IVF clinic if it is possible to receive donated unused IVF meds
Seeing if insurance will cover surrogacy or IVF

How Can I Afford Surrogacy on a $200,000 Salary?

Affording surrogacy on $200,000 will be different depending on what your situation is, but for many families it will take a combination of savings and loans.

Budgeting

Affording surrogacy can be daunting, but by managing your finances strategically, it’s possible to make it work even on a modest salary. Here’s a guide to setting a budget and saving effectively:

Slash Unnecessary Expenses: Begin by evaluating your monthly spending. Look at areas where you could cut back, like subscription services, luxury purchases, or entertainment expenses. These small changes can help you free up more money for your surrogacy savings.
Open a Dedicated Savings Account: A great way to stay on track is by opening a separate savings account specifically for surrogacy. This way, the money you’re saving is not mixed with your regular funds, making it easier to monitor your progress and avoid spending on other things.
Establish a Savings Timeline with a Spreadsheet: Build a detailed budget using a spreadsheet, mapping out how much money you need to save and by when. This timeline will keep you accountable and allow you to adjust if necessary. Regular updates on your savings goal will help you stay focused.
Budgeting Tools and Apps: Apps like YNAB, Mint, and Rocket Money can help you stick to your plan. These tools allow you to set up budgets, track expenses, and receive reminders about your savings goals, keeping you on top of your surrogacy fund.
Account for Extra or Unexpected Costs: Surrogacy comes with potential hidden costs, such as legal fees, medical expenses, or travel costs for your surrogate. Factor in an extra cushion of savings to prepare for these additional expenses. Consider keeping a separate emergency fund as well.

Financing Options

In case saving alone doesn’t seem like enough, there are several other financing routes to consider for affording surrogacy:

Personal Loans: Many people take out personal loans to help cover the costs of surrogacy. These loans often offer fixed monthly payments and interest rates. Before committing, make sure to compare different lenders for the best rates and terms.
Loans Specific to Surrogacy: Some financial institutions specialize in offering loans designed specifically for surrogacy. These loans often have more favorable terms, such as higher borrowing limits or longer repayment options, making them a good choice for intended parents.
401(k) Withdrawals and Loans: If you have a 401(k) plan, you may be able to access funds through a loan or withdrawal. While taking out a loan from your 401(k) may be an attractive option, remember that withdrawals are subject to tax penalties, and loans must be repaid within a set period.
Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC): If you own a home and have substantial equity, you may qualify for a HELOC. This type of loan offers access to a revolving line of credit based on your home’s value, typically at a lower interest rate than personal loans.
Grants and Financial Aid: Some organizations provide grants that are specifically aimed at helping individuals or families who are struggling to cover surrogacy costs. Although competitive, these grants can significantly alleviate some of the financial burdens.
Employer Benefits and Health Savings Accounts (HSA): Some employers offer fertility benefits that can cover surrogacy expenses, so it’s worth checking with your HR department to see if this applies to you. Additionally, if you have an HSA, you can use the funds for certain medical surrogacy costs, as long as the expenses meet HSA guidelines.

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

Examples of Financing Surrogacy

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

Example Surrogacy Budget #1: 3-Year Savings Plan

Total Cost of Surrogacy: $180,000

Starting Savings: $20,000

Save $2,000 per month x 3 years =$72,000

Home Equity Loan: $90,000 at 8%, 4 year term ~$2,200/month

Example Surrogacy Budget #2: Loan-Heavy Plan

Total Cost of Surrogacy: $180,000

Starting Savings: $30,000

Personal Loan: $150,000 at 6%, 4 year term ~$3,500/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

Sometimes, even if it doesn’t seem possible in the near future, things can change and you may be able to swing the expense. If you’re sure that surrogacy is the best route for your family, you can do things like freeze eggs, sperm, or embryos, and set aside as much money as you are able to in the present.

Promotions, relocations, lifestyle changes, and other big events might mean that you can afford surrogacy in the future, and surrogacy isn’t as time-sensitive as other ways of building your family— surrogacy can be an option even into your late 40s and 50s.

Explore Your Options

Surrogacy isn’t the only path to parenthood. For some families, adoption can be an option, and for others, IVF may still be possible, even if there may be a lower likelihood of success. You can talk to a fertility specialist or find out more here. And for some families, they may decide that their family is complete the way it is.

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 pay for a surrogate mother?

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

Will insurance cover surrogacy?

In most cases insurance will not fully cover surrogacy unless you have a fertility-specific insurance. In many cases, insurance will pay some of the medical expenses for the surrogate pregnancy, IVF, and baby.

What is the financial compensation for a surrogate?

Financial compensation for a surrogate varies by region and experience. In some locations, surrogates cannot be paid, while in other places, surrogates can be compensated $65,000-110,000.