Investment growth calculator
Model your personal brokerage account, your workplace 401(k) and an IRA side by side.
Applies to all accounts
These are typical starting numbers for a U.S. worker. Replace them with your own.
Starting point
Your starting balance is split using the percentages in Allocation.
Contributions
Allocation
Advanced options
Total return includes dividends and is after the fund's expense ratio, which published fund returns already include. These are long-run historical averages, not a forecast. To try your own numbers, pick Custom fund. The 401(k) tab has its own expected return.
Portfolio value
$0
Starting balance
$0
Your contributions
$0
Investment growth
$0
Invested value
$0
Cash (not reinvested)
$0
Estimated annual dividend payout by fund
Notes and sources
Starting point
Contributions
Plan settings
Most Puerto Rico plans cap your contributions at $15,000 a year. "PR dual" is for plans qualified in both Puerto Rico and the U.S. that adopted the higher $22,500 limit, which equals $15,000 plus the Puerto Rico IRA limit. Ask HR which one yours is. From age 50 a catch-up is added on top.
Diversified 401(k) plans have historically returned around 5-8% a year; 7% is a commonly cited long-run average.
Portfolio value
$0
Starting balance
$0
Your contributions
$0
Employer match
$0
Total contributions
$0
Investment growth
$0
401(k) growth
Notes and sources
Starting point
Contributions
Account
Allocation
Portfolio value
$0
Starting balance
$0
Your contributions
$0
Investment growth
$0
Enter a starting balance or a contribution amount and your IRA chart will appear here.
IRA growth
Notes and sources
How to use this calculator
- Start with Applies to all accounts: your age, how many years you plan to invest, and your salary.
- Open the tab for each account you have: Personal investing for a regular brokerage account, 401(k) for your workplace plan, and IRA.
- Pick a fund or a mix of funds, and choose whether dividends are reinvested.
- Read the combined total at the top. The line under it shows what that money would buy in today's dollars.
Common questions
What yearly return should I assume?
The calculator starts each fund at its long-run record, such as about 10.5% a year for the S&P 500 since 1926. Many planners use a more cautious 6% to 7% for long-range estimates. Try both and plan around the lower number.
Does it work for Puerto Rico retirement plans?
Yes. The 401(k) tab includes the Puerto Rico limits: $15,000 for plans qualified only in Puerto Rico and $22,500 for dual-qualified plans, with a $1,500 catch-up from age 50.
Are taxes included?
No. Results are before taxes. Money in a 401(k) or traditional IRA is taxed when you withdraw it, and dividends in a regular brokerage account are taxed each year.
Is my information saved or shared?
Your numbers stay in your browser. Nothing you enter is sent to a server, and you can clear it with Reset all inputs to defaults.