What return should I assume?

Be conservative. Many planners use 4–6% after inflation for a diversified equity portfolio and less for bond-heavy allocations. A lower assumption is safer than a flattering one.

No. Subtract your fund and platform fees from the expected return before entering it — a 0.8% total fee turns a 7% return into 6.2%.

Results are pre-tax. Tax-advantaged accounts change outcomes considerably, so check the rules that apply where you live.

Investment Calculator

Project how an investment could grow given a starting balance, regular contributions and an assumed annual return, and see the split between what you paid in and what the market added.

Fill in the fields above and select Calculate to see your result and the full working.

Please note: Financial calculators produce estimates using the figures you enter. They exclude fees, taxes, insurance and rate changes unless a field asks for them. They are not financial advice — confirm any significant decision with a qualified adviser or your lender.

Formula used

FV = P(1 + r/12)^(12t) + C · ((1 + r/12)^(12t) − 1) ÷ (r/12), then discounted by inflation for the real value

How to use this calculator

Enter your starting balance, or zero if you are beginning from scratch.
Add the amount you plan to invest each month.
Enter the annual return you want to model. This is your own assumption, not a rate this site predicts or recommends.
Set an inflation assumption to see the result in today's purchasing power.

Example calculation

$5,000 initial, $500 a month, 7% for 25 years:

Initial grows to about $28,700

Contributions grow to about $405,000

Projected total ≈ $433,700 from $155,000 contributed.

What does this result mean?

This is a smooth projection, and real markets are not smooth. Actual returns arrive in an unpredictable order, and a poor sequence early in retirement drawdown matters far more than the average suggests. Use the projection to compare scenarios and contribution levels, not as a forecast of what your balance will be on a specific date.

Frequently asked questions

What return should I assume?: Be conservative. Many planners use 4–6% after inflation for a diversified equity portfolio and less for bond-heavy allocations. A lower assumption is safer than a flattering one.
Are fees included?: No. Subtract your fund and platform fees from the expected return before entering it — a 0.8% total fee turns a 7% return into 6.2%.
What about tax?: Results are pre-tax. Tax-advantaged accounts change outcomes considerably, so check the rules that apply where you live.

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