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What return do I need to hit my goal?

Work backwards from the goal. Given what you have, what you can add, and how long you have, this finds the annual return you'd need — and tells you honestly whether that number is realistic.

Your goal

INPUTS
$
$
$
yrs
%

Used only to show what the balance buys in today's money. Set it to 0 to see the nominal figure alone.

The return you need

RESULT
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Enter a target amount and how many years you have.

Save or send these numbersEmail

All four happen in your browser. Your figures are not sent anywhere — the email opens in your own mail app, already filled in.

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What makes a required return reasonableA written guide to the rules behind this calculator →
For educational purposes only. A required return is a planning figure, not a promise — no portfolio delivers the same number every year. If the required return looks aggressive, adjusting the goal, the contribution, or the timeline is usually safer than reaching for risk. Not investment advice.