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Cost of Waiting Calculator

What could delaying your investments cost you? Compare two people making the same yearly contribution, one starting now and one waiting, through your chosen ending age.

Your Comparison

Set the shared assumptions and ending age, then choose how long Person 1 contributes and how long Person 2 waits. Both balances grow through the selected final year.

1. Shared Assumptions

Person 1 starts at this age. Allowed ages: 0 to 99.

Includes a full year of interest at this age. Choose an age from the starting age through 100.

Same assumed rate for both people, compounded annually. Range: 0% to 20%.

Each person contributes at the start of each year once investing, before interest is applied. Range: $0 to $1,000,000.

2. Compare Contribution Schedules

Person 1: Start Now

Contribute first, then let the balance keep growing.

Number of annual contributions, starting immediately. For example, 10 years from age 25 means contributions at ages 25-34, stopping at age 35. Interest continues afterward.

Person 2: Wait to Start

Wait, then contribute every year through the selected ending age.

Person 2 waits before starting. The wait cannot extend beyond the selected ending age.

Results update as you change valid inputs.

How this comparison works

  • Person 1: Starts saving now, then stops adding money after the chosen contribution years. Their savings keep growing.
  • Person 2: Waits the chosen number of years, then adds money every year through the comparison age.
  • Growth: Both start with $0. Money is added at the start of each year, then the full balance earns interest.
  • Table: Each row shows the balance at the end of that age's year. Comparing through age 48 includes growth until the 49th birthday.

Example only, not guaranteed. The growth rate stays the same each year. Taxes, fees, inflation, withdrawals, and contribution limits are not included.

Learn about the high cost of waiting

Your Results

Person 1: Start Now

Total contributed
Investment growth

Person 2: Wait to Start

Total contributed
Investment growth

Cost of Waiting

Contribution difference (Person 1 - Person 2)
Growth difference (Person 1 - Person 2)

Year-End Balance by Starting Age

Hover over or tap a circle to see both people's balances at that age. Each point includes that year's contribution and interest.

Contributions vs. Growth

Purple represents Person 1; amber represents Person 2. Light segments show contributions, and dark segments show investment growth. Hover over or tap a segment for its value.

Savings at a Glance

Compare yearly deposits, interest earned that year, and total savings. Year 1 is your starting age. Both tables include the full year at your comparison age.

Year-by-Year Comparison (Detailed calculations)

See the calculation for both people at every age through the selected ending age. Scroll horizontally to compare their formulas and vertically to see every year. Contributions are annual amounts added that year, not cumulative totals.

Interest: (Previous Balance + Annual Contribution) × Annual Rate.

Ending Balance: Previous Balance + Annual Contribution + Interest.

Cost of Waiting: Person 1 Ending Balance - Person 2 Ending Balance. A negative value means Person 2 finishes with more. When Person 1 stops early, this compares different contribution schedules, not just the effect of waiting.

Comparison years, ages, annual contributions, interest formulas, and balance formulas for both people, with the difference in ending balances.
Year(s) Starting
Age		 Person 1: Start Now Person 2: Wait to Start Cost of Waiting
Difference in Ending Balances
Annual Contributions
Added This Year		 Interest Formula
(Previous + Contribution) × Rate		 Balance Formula
Previous + Contribution + Interest		 Annual Contributions
Added This Year		 Interest Formula
(Previous + Contribution) × Rate		 Balance Formula
Previous + Contribution + Interest

Make Time Work for Your Future

Use this illustration as a starting point for a personalized financial conversation.

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