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Investment Goal Calculator

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What will it take to reach your investment goal? Use this investment goal calculator to determine how much your investment might grow before taxes, after taxes and after taxes and inflation. It will provide suggestions on what to change if your plan doesn't look like it will meet your investment goal.

Investment Goal Calculator Definitions

Investment goal
Your goal for the total value of your investment or investments.
Years to accumulate
The number of years you have to save.
Amount of initial investment
Total amount you will initially invest or have currently have invested toward your investment goal.
Periodic contribution
The amount you will contribute each period to your investment. You are also able to select whether you wish to have your contribution happen at the beginning or the end of the period.
Contribution frequency
The frequency you will make regular contributions to this investment.
Compound interest
Interest on an investment's interest, plus previous interest. The more frequently this occurs, the sooner your accumulated interest will generate additional interest. You should check with your financial institution to find out how often interest is being compounded on your particular investment.
Make deposits at beginning of the period
Check this box to have all additional contributions happen at the beginning of each period. Uncheck this box for the end of the period. Making contributions at the beginning of each period allows your money to begin earning a return immediately increasing your return.
Rate of return on investment
This is the rate of return you expect from your investments. You are also able to select the frequency that earnings are compounded in your investment account. The actual rate of return is largely dependent on the types of investments you select. The Standard & Poor's 500® (S&P 500®) for the 10 years ending December 31st 2023, had an annual compounded rate of return of 15.2%, including reinvestment of dividends. From January 1, 1970 to December 31st 2023, the average annual compounded rate of return for the S&P 500®, including reinvestment of dividends, was approximately 10.9% (source: www.spglobal.com). Since 1970, the highest 12-month return was 61% (June 1982 through June 1983). The lowest 12-month return was -43% (March 2008 to March 2009). Savings accounts at a financial institution may pay as little as 0.25% or less but carry significantly lower risk of loss of principal balances.

It is important to remember that these scenarios are hypothetical and that future rates of return can't be predicted with certainty and that investments that pay higher rates of return are generally subject to higher risk and volatility. The actual rate of return on investments can vary widely over time, especially for long-term investments. This includes the potential loss of principal on your investment. It is not possible to invest directly in an index and the compounded rate of return noted above does not reflect sales charges and other fees that investment funds and/or investment companies may charge.

Expected inflation rate
This is what you expect for the average long-term inflation rate. A common measure of inflation in the U.S. is the Consumer Price Index (CPI). From 1925 through 2023 the CPI has a long-term average of 3.0% annually. Over the last 40 years the highest CPI recorded was 13.5% in 1980. For 2023, the last full year available, the CPI was 3.1% annually as reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Federal marginal tax rate
Your Federal marginal tax rate. **TAXTABLE_CURRENT_DEFINITION**
State marginal tax rate
Your marginal state tax rate. If your state taxes are deductible on your Federal return, the tool will take this into account when calculating your combined state and Federal marginal tax rate.
Deductible state taxes
Check here if your state taxes are deductible on your Federal return. Generally speaking if you itemize your deductions on Schedule A of your Federal return you should check this box.