Quick guide
How to use this calculator
- Enter one scenario with a consistent currency and the exact time basis shown by each label.
- Treat growth, return, price change, and future contributions as assumptions rather than forecasts.
- Use the component results and calculator-specific boundary to interpret the primary answer.
Calculation method
Calculation method
For first-year earnings E and annual growth g, cumulative earnings = E × ((1+g)^n−1)/g, with nE when g=0; year k earnings = E(1+g)^(k−1).
Exact rational arithmetic is used where no compounding is needed. Bounded projections use stable logarithmic growth, deliberate decimal display rounding, overflow checks, and explicit unreachable states; a nonzero result is never replaced by zero.
Worked example
Worked example
First-year earnings of 50,000 with 0% growth over 10 years produce 500,000 of cumulative nominal earnings.
For first-year earnings E and annual growth g, cumulative earnings = E × ((1+g)^n−1)/g, with nE when g=0; year k earnings = E(1+g)^(k−1).
Supported inputs
Precision and limits
Visible input limits
Amounts accept up to 30 digits and 12 decimal places and are capped at 1e12. Annual change is −100% to 1000%; projections use at most 100 years or 1,200 months, and a no-spend challenge at most 3,650 days.
International scope
No currency, tax, inflation rate, wage path, market return, withdrawal rule, price database, or recommended spending standard is assumed.
Projection boundary
Long-range results are deterministic illustrations of entered assumptions, not forecasts, guarantees, financial advice, or value judgments about spending and work.
Calculator-specific assumptions
Growth is constant and annual; the first year is included. Results are nominal and exclude career breaks, inflation, tax, benefits, unemployment, currency changes, and uncertain earnings.