Investment calculator help
The Investment Calculator projects a balance from a starting amount, recurring contributions, an expected return, a fee assumption, and an inflation assumption, entirely in your browser.
Return And Fees
The expected annual return is reduced by the annual fee drag assumption before growth is applied. Recurring contributions are added at the frequency and timing you choose, and the balance grows between contribution events.
Inflation Adjustment
The real value figure discounts the projected final balance by the inflation assumption, restating it in today's purchasing power. Comparing nominal results across different time horizons can be misleading; the real value keeps comparisons honest.
Scenarios
The lower and higher scenarios adjust only the expected return by two percentage points in each direction. They are sensitivity checks on your return assumption, not market forecasts or confidence intervals.
Limitations
The calculator does not model taxes, volatility, sequence-of-returns risk, or specific products, and it does not use live market data or connect to accounts. It is an educational projection of the assumptions you enter, not financial advice.
Related Calculators
See the pure compounding mechanics in the compound interest calculator, plan workplace savings with the 401(k) calculator, or test the spending side with the retirement calculator.
FAQ
What return assumption should I use?
That choice is yours; the calculator applies whatever annual return you enter and does not suggest one. Long-run averages for diversified stock portfolios are often quoted in mid single digits after inflation, but past averages do not guarantee future returns. Use the lower and higher scenarios to test sensitivity.
How does the fee input work?
The annual fee percentage is subtracted from the expected return before the projection runs, so a 7% return with a 1% fee grows the balance at 6%. This models recurring costs such as fund expense ratios or advisory fees, not one-time trading costs.
What does the inflation-adjusted result mean?
Real value discounts the projected final balance by your inflation assumption, expressing the result in today's purchasing power. The nominal balance is what the account statement would show; the real value is what it would buy.
Are results a forecast?
No. The projection applies one smooth return every year and the lower and higher scenarios only shift the return by two percentage points. Real markets are volatile and sequence of returns matters, so treat the output as a planning baseline, not a forecast.