Investment Calculator
Project your investment growth over time with regular contributions. See nominal and inflation-adjusted returns side by side.
Future Value
$343,778
In today's dollars: $228,447
Contributed
$130,000
Growth
$213,778
Real Growth
$98,447
Growth Breakdown
Contributions (38%)Investment Growth (62%)
Return Rate Comparison (20yr)
4% return$205,613
6% return$264,122
7% return$300,851
8% return$343,778
10% return$452,965
12% return$603,553
Year-by-Year Projection
| Year | Nominal Value | Real Value | Contributed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $17,055 | $16,632 | $16,000 |
| 2 | $24,695 | $23,593 | $22,000 |
| 3 | $32,970 | $30,899 | $28,000 |
| 4 | $41,932 | $38,568 | $34,000 |
| 5 | $51,637 | $46,618 | $40,000 |
| 6 | $62,148 | $55,067 | $46,000 |
| 7 | $73,531 | $63,936 | $52,000 |
| 8 | $85,859 | $73,245 | $58,000 |
| 9 | $99,210 | $83,016 | $64,000 |
| 10 | $113,669 | $93,272 | $70,000 |
| 11 | $129,329 | $104,037 | $76,000 |
| 12 | $146,288 | $115,337 | $82,000 |
| 13 | $164,655 | $127,197 | $88,000 |
| 14 | $184,546 | $139,647 | $94,000 |
| 15 | $206,088 | $152,714 | $100,000 |
| 16 | $229,419 | $166,429 | $106,000 |
| 17 | $254,685 | $180,826 | $112,000 |
| 18 | $282,049 | $195,937 | $118,000 |
| 19 | $311,684 | $211,799 | $124,000 |
| 20 | $343,778 | $228,447 | $130,000 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What return rate should I use?+
The S&P 500 has averaged ~10% annually since 1926. After inflation, that's ~7%. Use 7-8% for a diversified stock portfolio, 4-5% for bonds, or blend based on your asset allocation.
Why show inflation-adjusted values?+
Inflation reduces your purchasing power over time. $1,000,000 in 30 years will buy much less than $1,000,000 today. The 'real' value shows what your future money is worth in today's dollars.
Are investment returns guaranteed?+
No. This calculator assumes a fixed annual return for projection purposes. Real stock market returns vary significantly year to year and can be negative. These projections are for planning, not guarantees.
Should I invest or pay off debt?+
Generally, pay off high-interest debt (>7%) first. If your debt rate is lower than expected investment returns, investing may make more mathematical sense — but being debt-free has psychological value too.