Dad offered to pay off my £66k student loan – should I accept or invest instead?

Hi all, would really appreciate some perspective on this.

I’m 31, earning around £75k in the UK, and I have Plan 2 and postgrad student loans totalling about £66k. At the moment I’m repaying roughly £500–£580 a month through my salary, which definitely feels quite heavy.

My dad has offered to pay off the full £66k as a genuine gift, with no strings attached. I’m obviously incredibly grateful, but I’m trying to think this through properly rather than just jumping at it.

If I accept, my take-home would increase by about £500+ a month, which would make a noticeable difference to my day-to-day life. It would also remove the mental frustration of seeing such a big chunk disappear from my payslip every month.

At the same time, I know UK student loans aren’t typical debt and get written off eventually, so part of me is wondering whether it’s smarter to keep the loan and instead use that £66k for something like investing or putting more into my house.

For context, I’ve recently gone through a breakup so I’m now managing everything on my own. I have a mortgage and an 11-year-old, and while I’m financially stable, I want to make the best long-term decision rather than just an emotional one.

If you were in my position, would you clear the student loan for the improved monthly cash flow and simplicity, or keep it and use the £66k elsewhere?

Would really appreciate hearing what others have done in similar situations. Thanks in advance.