Simple investing explainer

See how regular investing, time, and compounding interact. Change the monthly amount to compare saving less, staying on plan, and adding more.

Current age

age

Project until age

age

Money already invested

$USD

Monthly investment

$USD

Expected annual return

Long-term stock market returns have often averaged about 7% to 14% per year. Use a lower return for a more conservative projection and a higher return to model stronger market growth.

Estimated value at age 62

$1,895,503

Includes $1,789,903 in estimated market growth, about 94.4% of the ending value.

$200 / mo at 10%

Ending value makeup

$1,895,503

Your invested dollars$105,600

Market growth$1,789,903

Want the same math against your real accounts? Tablewealth helps keep balances and holdings in one place.

Track investments

How the balance builds

Growth crossover: Year 13, age 31

Your invested dollars

Market growth

Total value

If you start earlier or later

Monthly amount needed to still reach $1,895,503 by age 62

Started 5 years earlier (age 13)

$121

Start age13

Years invested49

Timing5 years earlier

Change per month-$79

Start now

$200

Start age18

Years invested44

TimingNow

Change per month$0

Start 5 years later (age 23)

$332

Start age23

Years invested39

Timing5 years later

Change per month+$132

Start 10 years later (age 28)

$554

Start age28

Years invested34

Timing10 years later

Change per month+$354

Start 15 years later (age 33)

$932

Start age33

Years invested29

Timing15 years later

Change per month+$732

Start	Timing	Years invested	Monthly needed	Change per month
Started 5 years earlier (age 13)	5 years earlier	49 years	$121	-$79
Start now	Now	44 years	$200	$0
Start 5 years later (age 23)	5 years later	39 years	$332	+$132
Start 10 years later (age 28)	10 years later	34 years	$554	+$354
Start 15 years later (age 33)	15 years later	29 years	$932	+$732

What changes if you save more or less?

70%, 100%, and 130% of $200 per month

Save 30% less

-$568,651

Monthly amount$140

Ending value$1,326,852

Market growth$1,252,932

You put in$73,920

Your stated plan

Monthly amount$200

Ending value$1,895,503

Market growth$1,789,903

You put in$105,600

Save 30% more

+$568,651

Monthly amount$260

Ending value$2,464,154

Market growth$2,326,874

You put in$137,280

Scenario	Monthly amount	Ending value	Market growth	Difference
Save 30% less	$140	$1,326,852	$1,252,932	-$568,651
Your stated plan	$200	$1,895,503	$1,789,903	$0
Save 30% more	$260	$2,464,154	$2,326,874	+$568,651

Common questions

Simple Investing Explainer

What does the simple investing explainer show?

It shows how a starting balance, monthly investments, an expected return, and time can combine into total contributions and estimated market growth.

Is the return assumption guaranteed?

No. The return is a simplified constant assumption for education. Real investment returns vary, can be negative, and depend on asset allocation, fees, taxes, and timing.

Disclosures

How to read the projection

This calculator is an educational compounding illustration. It assumes a constant annual return, monthly compounding, and month-end contributions. Actual investment returns vary and may be negative, especially over shorter periods.

The projection does not include taxes, inflation, account fees, fund fees, trading costs, contribution limits, changing income, or withdrawals. It is for informational purposes only and is not financial, investment, tax, accounting, or legal advice.