Investment Simulator How much should I invest each month to reach $1 million?
Compare monthly contributions to reach $1 million in today’s U.S. dollars over 10, 20, or 30 years.
To build $1 million in today’s U.S. dollars from scratch, the goal planner estimates $7,772.28 a month for 10 years, $3,528.83 for 20 years, or $2,077.75 for 30 years.
Monthly contributions by deadline
The examples use a constant 0.5% monthly return, 2.5% annual inflation, and 0% tax on gains. Contributions are fixed in dollar terms and made at the start of each month.
| Time | Starting from zero | Starting with $100,000 invested |
|---|---|---|
| 10 years | $7,772.28 | $6,667.60 |
| 20 years | $3,528.83 | $2,815.96 |
| 30 years | $2,077.75 | $1,481.18 |
What does $1 million mean in 20 years?
At 2.5% inflation, the 20-year target is $1,638,616.44 in future dollars. In the Investment Simulator goal planner, enter $1 million, your invested balance, the deadline, and the assumptions above. If you already have a monthly savings budget, open the compound interest calculator and compare its inflation-adjusted result with the goal.
If the goal is retirement, start with the spending gap your investments must cover. See the retirement plan for $5,000 a month for a worked example with Social Security.