At a Glance
Rating Breakdown
About New Era Debt Solutions
New Era Debt Solutions has been running out of Langhorne, Pennsylvania since 2004, quietly putting together one of the cleanest compliance records in debt settlement. Only 18 CFPB complaints in three years — fewer than companies a fraction of their size. They have resolved over $500 million in consumer debt. Smaller volume than the industry giants, but with far fewer regulatory problems per dollar settled. What defines New Era is how they handle the sales process. Most settlement companies pay consultants based on how many people they enroll. New Era trains theirs to recommend alternatives — credit counseling, debt management plans, even bankruptcy — when settlement is not the right move. Before you sign anything, you get a written proposal with your specific fee percentage, expected timeline, monthly deposits, projected settlement percentages by creditor, and a blunt assessment of risks including credit damage and lawsuit odds. Most firms keep these details vague until after you have already committed. New Era puts them on paper upfront. Their negotiators average 10+ years of experience and maintain direct relationships with settlement departments at the major issuers. That tenure translates into knowing which banks settle at what percentages, at what account age, and through which internal departments — the kind of pattern recognition you cannot shortcut. New Era handles standard unsecured consumer debt with a $10,000 minimum, charges 15-23% of enrolled debt (a lower ceiling than the industry-standard 25%), and covers 38+ states. Their client dashboard shows real-time escrow balances, settlement offers, and program milestones.
Key Features
Full Transparency
Before you sign, you get a written document with your specific fees, timeline, and risk factors. No surprises after enrollment because the numbers are already on paper.
No-Pressure Consultations
Their consultants will tell you if settlement is not your best option. They will actually recommend credit counseling or bankruptcy when the numbers point that way.
Experienced Negotiators
Negotiators with 10+ years in the business handle your accounts. They know which creditor departments have settlement authority and when to make the call.
Client Dashboard
Log in anytime to see exactly where your money is, which settlements are pending, and how far along you are in the program.
How It Works
Free Consultation
Talk to a certified debt specialist who will look at your situation honestly — no sales pitch, no pressure.
Written Proposal
You get everything in writing: your fees, your timeline, your projected savings, and the risks. Read it before you decide.
Enrollment
Choose which debts to enroll and start depositing into an FDIC-insured escrow account each month.
Active Negotiation
Veteran negotiators go directly to the creditor settlement departments they already have relationships with.
Resolution
You approve every settlement, payments go out, and you walk away debt-free when the last account is resolved.
What They Do
- Debt Settlement
- Debt Negotiation
- Financial Counseling
- Hardship Programs
Debt Types They Take On
- Credit Cards
- Medical Bills
- Personal Loans
- Private Student Loans
- Collections
Fee & Cost Structure
Regulatory & Trust
Review Summary
Notable Case Studies
Post-Divorce Credit Card Debt Across Seven Accounts
Client enrolled \$55,000 across 7 credit cards accumulated during a marriage, now solely responsible after divorce. Minimum payments totaled \$1,650/month on a \$4,200 take-home income. New Era's written proposal projected 50-58% savings over 32 months with \$850 monthly deposits. The first settlement — a \$12,000 Chase Sapphire balance — settled for \$4,800 (60% reduction) at month 7.
Small Business Owner with Personal Guarantee Debt
Client had \$34,000 in personal credit card debt that was used to fund a failed small business. Three accounts were with the same issuer (Citi) at different stages of delinquency. New Era's negotiator leveraged the multi-account relationship to negotiate a package deal — all three Citi accounts settled simultaneously for a combined 42 cents on the dollar.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Written proposals with specific cost projections, timelines, and risk disclosures before enrollment — the most transparent pre-sale process in the industry
- Only 18 CFPB complaints over 3 years is the lowest absolute count among established firms, indicating consistently clean client interactions
- Consultants will actively recommend alternatives (credit counseling, bankruptcy, DMP) when settlement is not the right fit — a rarity in an industry driven by enrollment commissions
- Fee ceiling of 23% is lower than the industry-standard 25%, potentially saving clients thousands on large enrolled balances
- Senior negotiators with 10+ years of tenure maintain direct creditor relationships that newer or higher-turnover firms cannot replicate
Cons
- \$10,000 minimum and 38-state coverage means a meaningful percentage of potential clients are excluded by geography or debt level
- Smaller company with 50-100 employees lacks the marketing budget to maintain widespread brand awareness, making independent verification harder for consumers doing online research
- Total resolved volume of \$500M+ is significantly lower than National Debt Relief (\$10B+) or Freedom Debt Relief (\$15B+), which may mean fewer established relationships with niche creditors
- No mobile app — client dashboard is browser-only, which feels dated compared to tech-forward competitors like TurboDebt
User Reviews (12)
most transparent company I talked to
New Era published their actual average settlement rates on their website before I even called. Nobody else does that. Consultation was equally transparent - told me which creditors settle well and which don't, gave me realistic timeline, explained every fee. $41k enrolled, 48% average settlement, 28 months. The transparency builds trust.
comparable to accredited but slower on first settlement
ADR gets first settlement in 4-6 months. New Era took 7 months for mine. After that the pace was similar. Results were comparable (46% average settlement). Fees were similar (18% vs ADR's 18-20%). If speed to first settlement is your #1 priority, go Accredited. If transparency and data-driven approach matter more, New Era is excellent.
18 years and they're still doing it right
Founded 2007, still operating with an A+ BBB and IAPDA membership. $38k enrolled, $16,340 paid to creditors (43% average), fees at 18% ($6,840). Net savings: $14,820. My dedicated counselor was knowledgeable, patient, and proactive with updates. New Era doesn't get the press that NDR and FDR do but the results speak for themselves.
$10k enrollment wasn't worth it after fees
Enrolled $10,000. Settled at 48% ($4,800). Fee at 18% ($1,800). Total cost: $6,600. Saved $3,400. Credit dropped 120 points for $3,400 in savings. I could have gotten a 0% balance transfer card and paid this off in 15 months with zero credit damage. New Era should have recommended that instead of enrolling me. The math doesn't work below ~$15k.
personal service with minor communication gaps
My counselor was great on calls but email responses sometimes took 48-72 hours. In debt settlement, that delay can feel like an eternity when a creditor sends a threatening letter. Settlements were solid ($43k enrolled, saved $16,770 net) but faster email turnaround would have reduced my stress level.
they told me exactly which creditors would be hard
During enrollment, New Era specifically said "your Amex will probably settle around 52-55%, your Chase will be closer to 38-42%." They were almost exactly right. Having realistic per-creditor expectations upfront prevented the disappointment that comes from expecting all accounts to settle at the same rate.
timeline ran long - 38 months instead of 28
Quoted 24-30 months. Actual: 38. Two creditors were extremely slow to negotiate and my counselor kept saying "we need more time." I get it but 38 months is a long time to live with trashed credit and daily anxiety. The settlements themselves were good (averaged 46%) but the extended timeline was a real cost.
based in bucks county PA - real company real people
Drove to their office in Langhorne PA for my consultation. Nice professional setup, friendly staff. Enrolled $29k and everything proceeded exactly as described. Being able to visit in person gave me confidence that this wasn't some phone-only operation that could disappear tomorrow.
great service but creditor leverage isn't as strong as bigger firms
NDR settles $1B/year. FDR $3B+. New Era is smaller. On my Discover account, NDR friends reported 48-50% settlements while mine through New Era settled at 54%. The difference could be random variation or it could be that larger volume = more leverage. Results were still good but I wonder if a bigger firm would have squeezed out an extra 3-5%.
they use actual data not guesswork
New Era showed me historical settlement data by creditor during my consultation. Not vague ranges but actual averages from thousands of cases. Chase: 38%. Capital One: 42%. Discover: 52%. Citi: 45%. That data-driven approach told me they know exactly what they're doing and I could trust their estimates.
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Important Debt Relief Disclaimers
- Debt settlement programs may negatively affect your credit score. When you enroll, you typically stop making payments to creditors, which results in late payments, collections, and potential charge-offs on your credit report.
- There is no guarantee that a debt settlement company can settle all of your debts or reduce them by a specific amount. Creditors are not required to negotiate or accept settlement offers.
- Debt settlement fees are typically 15%-25% of the enrolled debt amount. You should not pay fees before a debt has been successfully settled. The FTC prohibits debt settlement companies from charging upfront fees before settling at least one debt.
- Forgiven debt of $600 or more may be considered taxable income by the IRS. You may receive a Form 1099-C from creditors for canceled debt. Consult a tax professional about potential tax consequences.
- Creditors may continue collection efforts, including lawsuits, wage garnishment, and bank levies, while you are enrolled in a debt settlement program. A debt settlement company cannot guarantee protection from legal action.
- Alternatives to debt settlement include debt consolidation loans, credit counseling through nonprofit agencies, debt management plans, and bankruptcy. Consider all options and consult with a licensed financial advisor or attorney before enrolling in any debt relief program.
- Zogby does not provide debt relief services. We are an independent comparison service. We do not negotiate with creditors on your behalf or manage debt settlement accounts.
This page is informational, not financial or legal advice. Talk to a qualified professional before making any big money decisions.
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