Goal Investment Calculator
Find the monthly investment needed to reach a target amount in a set number of years at an expected return.
Planning backward from a goal
Rather than asking what a monthly investment will grow into, this works the other way around: you name the amount you want and the time you have, and it tells you the monthly investment that gets you there.
Give yourself more years and the monthly figure drops sharply, because compounding takes on more of the work. The return is an assumption, so keep it realistic. To see how a fixed monthly investment grows, see our finance calculators.
Common questions
How can I lower the monthly amount needed?
Start sooner. The longer the runway, the more compounding chips in and the less you have to set aside each month. Even a couple of extra years makes a real difference.
Is the target in today's money or future money?
It's the figure you type in, in future terms. If your goal will be pushed up by rising prices, inflate it first, then plan the monthly amount for that larger number.
What if my returns fall short?
Then you land below target, so it's wise to use a cautious return and check in each year. Raising the monthly amount as your income grows is a simple way to stay on track.