Phase 2 · Wealth & Leverage
Net Worth Projection Calculator
Your net worth has a trajectory — see where it lands and what year you cross your target. Then watch the moment the market's growth overtakes the money you save each year.
Under the hood
The math, fully exposed
We march your net worth forward one year at a time, compounding as we go:
Each year: net worth = net worth × (1 + return) + annual savings
Total saved = annual savings × years
Growth from returns = ending net worth − starting net worth − total saved
Years to target = first year the running balance crosses your milestone
- Saving wins early, the market wins late: contributions dominate while the balance is small; once it compounds, returns on existing wealth take over as the main driver.
- The target year is the headline: small bumps to savings rate or return can pull your milestone years closer — the trajectory is sensitive to both.
- Nominal and pre-tax: no inflation or tax here. A future target buys less than today and may be taxed on the way out.
Your directives
What to do next, based on your numbers
Adjust the sliders to generate tailored recommendations.
Answers
Frequently asked questions
How is net worth projected over time?
Each year your existing net worth grows by your expected return, and you add a year of savings on top: next year = this year × (1 + return) + annual savings. Repeating that compounds both your contributions and your gains. Small differences in savings rate or return swing the end result enormously over decades — which is exactly what makes the trajectory worth modeling.
When does the market start doing more than my saving?
Early on, almost all of your net-worth growth comes from money you save — the balance is too small for returns to matter. As it compounds, the return on your existing wealth eventually outpaces your annual savings, and the market becomes the main engine. This tool shows how much of your projected net worth came from contributions versus growth, so you can see when that crossover happens.
What return rate should I use?
Be conservative. A broadly diversified stock portfolio has historically returned around 7% after inflation over long periods, but the future is not guaranteed and sequence-of-returns risk is real. Many planners model 5–7% for a stock-heavy portfolio and less if you hold bonds or cash. Run a pessimistic and an optimistic number — the honest answer is a range, not a point.
Does this account for inflation and taxes?
No — the figures are nominal and pre-tax. A projected million dollars decades out will buy less than a million today, and money in taxable or tax-deferred accounts faces tax on the way out. Treat the result as a gross trajectory; pair it with an inflation-adjusted view and your tax situation for the real picture. This is an educational model, not financial advice.