Investment Portfolio Calculator

Both compound the balance, but at this calculator's default inputs, more years lets both new contributions and existing growth compound repeatedly, while a single percentage-point change to Expected Annual Return only nudges the rate applied each period. Over a long horizon, time to compound tends to dominate the outcome more than the specific return assumption used -- though both matter, and a large enough change to either will move the result substantially.

Only Inflation-Adjusted Value (and the related Inflation Impact and Purchasing Power Loss figures). Future Value is the raw compounded balance and does not subtract inflation at all -- Inflation-Adjusted Value takes that same Future Value and divides it by the compounded inflation rate to show its worth in today's dollars, so raising Expected Inflation lowers the real-value figure without touching the nominal one.

Lump Sum Amount exists only to power the separate Lump Sum Result vs. DCA Result comparison further down the page, which tests a different question -- investing all at once versus spreading the same amount over a year. The main Future Value projection is driven by Initial Investment and Monthly Contribution instead, so changing the lump-sum comparison amount leaves the main projection untouched.

It's a simplified approximation, not a substitute for tax software or an advisor. Roth withdrawals are modeled as fully tax-free and Traditional accounts use a flat 22% assumption regardless of your actual bracket at withdrawal, while Taxable accounts run an actual capital-gains-bracket calculation on the gain over your contributions. Real tax rules depend on your income, filing status, and the tax code in effect when you actually withdraw, which can be years or decades from now.