How to read the result
The ending portfolio includes both deposits and modeled market growth. Return on invested cash is cumulative and should not be confused with the selected annualized return assumption.
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Investment growth, fees and return on invested cash
Project a lump sum plus recurring contributions at a chosen annual return. The result separates money contributed from market growth and subtracts annual investment fees so the return assumption stays visible.
How to use this calculator
- Enter current invested assets and a monthly contribution you can sustain.
- Use a long-run return assumption that matches the portfolio, then enter the fund and advisory fee drag.
- Compare invested cash with projected growth and test a lower-return scenario before using the result for a goal.
What this estimate does not capture
Real markets are volatile and taxes, trading costs, sequence of returns and changing contributions are excluded. A smooth projection is not a promise of future performance.
UNDERSTAND THE NUMBERS
An annual fee also removes future growth
Fixed educational example · independent of your inputs above. $ means US dollars; these are not current rate quotes or return forecasts.
Invest $10,000 initially and $500 at every month-end for 20 years. Hold the gross annual return at 7% and compare a 0% annual fee with a 1% fee. The model subtracts the fee from the annual return.
| Annual fee | Modeled net return | Ending balance |
|---|---|---|
| 0% | 7% | $292,465 |
| 1% | 6% | $258,791 |
What the difference tells you
The ending-balance gap is $33,674. It includes both modeled fee drag and the growth that the removed money no longer earns. Total cash contributed is $130,000 in each case, so extra contributions do not explain the difference.
Before drawing a conclusion
A fund's published return may already be net of fund expenses. Subtracting the same fee again would double count it. This simplified annual drag does not replicate performance fees, transaction charges or the timing of actual deductions.
A comparison to try
Compare the same contribution schedule at 10, 20 and 30 years. Then test a lower gross return while leaving fees fixed: the fee represents a larger share of the assumed growth.
Distinguish account growth from purchasing power →References for this explanation
Prepared by EconoPi · examples and explanations reviewed September 19, 2026. Tables are our calculations under stated assumptions, not forecasts or recommendations by the referenced organizations.
Frequently asked questions
How is investment growth calculated?
The calculator converts the expected annual return minus fees into an equivalent monthly rate, compounds the current balance and adds each monthly contribution.
What return should I assume?
Use a range rather than one forecast. A diversified stock-heavy portfolio may use a higher long-run assumption than a bond-heavy or short-term portfolio.
Why do investment fees matter?
A small annual fee compounds for decades. The calculator models the fee as a direct reduction in the assumed annual return.
Is ROI the same as annual return?
No. ROI here compares total growth with all cash invested; the annual return is the yearly compounding assumption.
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