Investment Calculator
Project your portfolio growth with monthly contributions, then see the inflation-adjusted value in today's dollars.
Investment details
Nominal balance after 25 years
$525,904
Real value (today's dollars)
$239,284
Inflation-adjusted purchasing power. Real return: 4.65% per year.
Total contributed
$160,000
Investment gains
$365,904
Frequently Asked Questions about the Investment Calculator
What does this investment calculator do?
It projects the future value of a lump-sum investment plus monthly contributions, compounded monthly using your expected annual return, then shows both the nominal balance and the inflation-adjusted real value.
What return rate should I assume?
The S&P 500 has averaged roughly 10% nominal and 7% real over the long run. A conservative diversified portfolio assumption is 6 to 8%. Use lower figures for bond-heavy allocations.
Why is the real value lower than the nominal balance?
Inflation erodes purchasing power. A 3.2% inflation rate cuts the real value of a dollar roughly in half over 22 years, so the real balance shows what your money would actually buy today.
Are taxes and fees included?
No. The calculator shows gross returns. Subtract your expected expense ratio and applicable capital gains or dividend tax to get a net estimate.
How is the monthly rate computed?
From the annual return r, monthly rate = (1 + r)^(1/12) - 1. Contributions are added at the start of each month, then the balance compounds.