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The short answer
Public industry and company studies contain useful observations, but their populations and outcome definitions differ. They do not establish a universal chance of becoming debt-free.
The EY industry study
EY’s September 2026 report was commissioned for the industry association ACDR. Its principal analysis examines older enrollment cohorts observed through 2025, with selection criteria and company-supplied data. EY did not independently verify the underlying records.
The report’s “Completed Client” threshold is settlement of at least half of enrolled debt. That is not the same endpoint as paying every settlement and resolving every enrolled account.
The Beyond Finance report
Beyond’s 2025 report defines a sustained-participation population for certain outcome measures and excludes early exits from those measures. Reported savings on resolved accounts use negotiation balances and do not describe every enrollee’s final financial position.
Four outcomes to keep separate
| Measure | Question it answers | Missing piece |
|---|---|---|
| Accepted offer | Did a creditor agree? | Were all installments paid? |
| Resolved account | Did this account meet the report’s endpoint? | What remains on other debts? |
| Program completion | Did the client meet this report’s definition? | Does completion mean all debts fully paid? |
| Net financial outcome | What was paid and still owed? | Credit, tax, lawsuit and replacement-loan effects |
How to use the evidence
Ask for results by enrollment cohort, include people who exited and compare against all original balances. Count provider fees, account fees, unresolved debts, taxes where applicable and any new loan. A selected success story is an illustration, not a forecast.
Sources & further reading
- EY: Debt Settlement Program Outcomes 2016–2025
- Beyond Finance: 2025 outcomes and methodology
- FTC: debt-help risks
Sources checked October 19, 2026. Rules and programs can change. This article uses AI-assisted research and has not received attorney or other professional signoff. Read our editorial standards.
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Educational guidance for U.S. debt situations. This page does not decide legal rights, eligibility, fees or suitability. If you have a court, property or service deadline, seek appropriate help promptly; reading this page does not extend it.