Investment

The Cost of Waiting

An Interactive Story

The Cost of
Waiting

What happens when two people invest the same amount, at the same rate, but one starts 10 years later?

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Meet the investors.

Same plan.
Different start dates.

Both invest $300 per month and earn an average annual return of 8%. The only difference? When they begin.

At age 65

Same commitment. Vastly different outcomes.

Alex (started at 25)

40 years of compounding

Jordan (started at 35)

30 years of compounding

Here's the twist.

Jordan invested less money.
But that's not why they lost.

Even if Jordan had invested the same total amount out of pocket, compound interest would still overwhelmingly favor Alex. Time in the market isn't just a saying. It's math.

💰

Alex contributed

$144,000

$300/mo × 40 years

💰

Jordan contributed

$108,000

$300/mo × 30 years

⚡

Alex put in just $36,000 more, yet walks away with hundreds of thousands more in total value. That's the power of starting early.

Your turn.

What could waiting cost you?

Adjust the numbers below to see how your start age, monthly savings, and expected return affect the outcome.

Start age25

1850

Retire age65

5080

Monthly investment$300

$50$2,000

Annual return8.0%

1%14%

The cost of waiting 10 years

Start at chosen age

Start 10 years later

The best time to start
was yesterday.

The second best time is today. Even small, consistent contributions can grow into something remarkable if you give them enough time.

This is a hypothetical illustration only and does not represent the performance of any specific investment. Actual results will vary. Investment returns are not guaranteed. Consult a financial professional before making investment decisions.

The Cost of Waiting