How is the The Cost of Waiting calculated?

We compare the future value at retirement of the same monthly contribution started today versus started after a delay. The difference is the "cost" of waiting — driven almost entirely by the compounding years you give up.

What data and assumptions does it use?

Public-domain future-value-of-an-ordinary-annuity formula. The growth rate is a shown, configurable assumption.

Savings · Live reading

The Cost of Waiting

What waiting a few years really costs. Move a dial — your result responds instantly.

Calibrate

Drag to set each value — estimates are fine.

Monthly contribution

What you’d invest each month.

Years until retirement

How long until you retire.

Years you put it off

How long before you start.

Annual return

Expected yearly growth.

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What this means for you

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Monthly contribution
Years until retirement
Years you put it off
Annual return

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How this is calculated →

An educational estimate using a level monthly contribution and the growth assumption shown with your results; actual returns vary and are not guaranteed. Not advice.