Investment Goal

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 also provide suggestions on what to change if your plan doesn't look like it will meet your investment goal.

Definitions

Investment goal Your goal for the total value of your investment or investments. Number of years to accumulate The number of years you have to save. Amount of initial investment Total you 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. Investment frequency The frequency you will make regular contributions to this investment. 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 type of investments you select. The S&P 500 for the ten years ending on December 31st, 2011 had an annual compounded rate of return of 2.92%, including reinvestment of dividends. From January 1970 through the end of 2011, the average annual compounded rate of return for the S&P 500, including reinvestment of dividends, was approximately 10.01% (source: www.standardandpoors.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 bank 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 funds and/or investment companies may charge. Expected inflation rate 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 2011 the CPI has a long-term average of 3.0% annually. Over the last 31 years, the highest CPI recorded was 13.5% in 1980. Federal marginal tax rate Your Federal marginal tax rate. You can use the table below to estimate your marginal tax rate: Filing Status and Income Tax Rates 2012 Caution: Do not use these tax rate schedules to figure 2011 taxes. Use only to figure 2012 estimates. Tax rate Married filing jointly or qualified widow(er) Single Head of household Married filing separately 10% $0 - 17,400 $0 - 8,700 $0 - $12,400 $0 - 8,700 15% $17,400 - 70,700 $8,700 - 35,350 $12,400 - 47,350 $8,700 - 35,350 25% $70,700 - 142,700 $35,350 - 85,650 $47,350 - 122,300 $35,350 - 71,350 28% $142,700 - 217,450 $85,650 - 178,650 $122,300 - 198,050 $71,350 - 108,725 33% $217,450 - 388,350 $178,650 - 388,350 $198,050 - 388,350 $108,725 - 194,175 35% over $388,350 over $388,350 over $388,350 over $194,175 Source: Revenue Procedure 2011-52 http://www.irs.gov State marginal tax rate Your marginal state tax rate. If your state taxes are deductible on your Federal return, we will take this into account when calculating your combined state and Federal marginal tax rate.