Project the future value of your portfolio from contributions, investment returns, and time — with inflation-adjusted results.
01 · Inputs
Adjust to see your compound growth projection update instantly.
Long-term S&P 500 averages ~7% real / ~10% nominal.
Historical US inflation averages ~2–3%.
02 · Result
Future
$1.4M
Real Value
$786k
Multiple
56.9x
$1,422,883
$785,533
$385,000
$1,037,883
56.92x
2.41%
The year your portfolio crosses each threshold, based on your inputs.
Compound growth happens when your investment returns themselves earn returns. Each year your base grows, and next year's return is calculated on the larger base. Given enough time, this snowball effect turns modest monthly contributions into life-changing wealth — often long after simple, linear saving would give up.
Doubling your time horizon usually beats doubling your return. $500/month at 7% for 40 years dwarfs the same amount at 10% for 20 years. Starting early — even with small amounts — is the single biggest lever in financial independence investing.
A nominal return ignores inflation. A real return subtracts it. A $1M nominal portfolio in 30 years is worth far less in today's dollars. Always plan retirement spending against real, inflation-adjusted values — never against the raw nominal balance.
Compound growth happens when your investment returns themselves earn returns. Each period your base grows, and the next period's return is calculated on the larger base. Over decades, this snowball effect turns modest contributions into life-changing wealth.
Doubling your time horizon usually beats doubling your return. $500/month at 7% for 40 years dwarfs the same amount at 10% for 20 years. Starting early — even with small amounts — is the single biggest lever in financial independence investing.
A diversified stock-index portfolio has historically returned about 7% real (after inflation) or 10% nominal per year over long periods. Bond-heavy portfolios return less. Use conservative assumptions and always plan with real returns.
A nominal return ignores inflation. A real return subtracts it. For retirement planning, use real returns so your projections reflect actual purchasing power in today's dollars.
Enough to reach your Freedom Number on your target timeline. Most FIRE savers aim for 20–50% of gross income. This calculator lets you test how different contribution levels change the outcome.
No. The projection assumes a tax-advantaged account and does not deduct expense ratios or trading fees. Deduct roughly 0.1–0.5% from your expected return to approximate fund fees, and plan separately for taxes on withdrawals.
Learn the concepts behind compound growth — real vs nominal returns, why time beats rate of return, and how to plan a realistic contribution schedule — before making important financial decisions.