Future Value of Investment Calculator
Whether you’re saving for a home, retirement or a dream vacation, setting money goals is the first step toward achieving the life and financial security you want. But how do you know that your contributions—10% of your paycheck to your 401(k) or $500 a month for other goals, for example—will get you where you financially want to be in the future?
Having a general idea of how much money you’ll need, as well as a target date for using those funds, can help you determine how to build your portfolio. You might be willing to take more risks if you have a longer time to save, for example, or be more conservative if you have a shorter-term goal.
How Do I Use the Future Value Calculator?
Your goal is to grow your money by earning a positive return. Ideally, your original investment will earn interest, plus your interest will earn interest over time, known as compounding. Understanding how your investments can grow—or compound—over time is essential.
Input your current investment balance, contributions (savings or spending), expected investment return and when you need your money (end of your goal). The calculator will then provide an estimate of the future value of your investments based on these factors. Future value calculators work best with a lump sum (a single current balance) and equal periodic cash investments.
Here’s what you need:
End Date
See how much money you will have in 5, 10 or 20 years. When do you expect to reach the amount of money you desire for this goal? The answers can help you determine whether you should adjust your expected time frames.
Initial Deposit Amount
If you put more toward your goal now or are considering withdrawing funds, you would adjust this number by that amount to estimate how it may impact the future value of your goal. This may help you determine the best use for funds you’ve recently acquired or the impact on attaining the goal if you need to pull funds.
Rate of Return
See how different rates are expected to affect your future value. What rate do you need to hit your money goal? The results might help you determine whether you are on the right track to reach your goal with your investment mix. Are the returns realistic and appropriate for your risk tolerance?
Periodic Deposit (or Periodic Withdrawal)
See how increasing or decreasing your monthly or annual savings affects the future value. At what monthly savings will you reach the desired future value for your goal?
Entering a negative number here turns the periodic deposit into a withdrawal, changing this input from saving to spending. Let’s look at a classic retirement question. Given your accumulated retirement funds (initial deposit) and your expected time in retirement (end date), will your savings last? A positive future value would indicate yes. You may adjust your spending until you get a value close to $0 to see which withdrawal amounts you may be able to handle and to help ensure your funds last through retirement.All Inputs
When deciding between two investments, run estimated returns for each through the calculator and compare the future values.
You can calculate future values of investments when you set up money goals in the investment planning stage and check on your progress periodically, which you can do during a portfolio checkup. It’s also a good idea to use the calculator when you change your current savings rate or investment mix.
A Final Note
Using the Future Value of Investment Calculator regularly can help you stay on track and achieve your financial goals. If the calculator shows that changes are needed to reach an investment goal, make sure changes are appropriate for you and your plan before making any moves.
Have Questions About Your Money Goals?
A financial consultant can help you figure out your next steps.
You could lose money by investing in a mutual fund, even if through your employer's plan or an IRA. An investment in a mutual fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Investment return and principal value of security investments will fluctuate. The value at the time of redemption may be more or less than the original cost. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.
This material has been prepared for educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide, and should not be relied upon for, investment, accounting, legal or tax advice.
©2026 Standard & Poor's Financial Services LLC. All rights reserved. For intended recipient only. No further distribution and/or reproduction permitted. Standard & Poor's Financial Services LLC ("S&P") does not guarantee the accuracy, adequacy, completeness or availability of any data or information contained herein and is not responsible for any errors or omissions or for the results obtained from the use of such data or information. S&P GIVES NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ANY WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE IN CONNECTION TO THE DATA OR INFORMATION INCLUDED HEREIN. In no event shall S&P be liable for any direct, indirect, special or consequential damages in connection with recipient's use of such data or information.
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