Does this include fees or taxes?

No. Enter a target yield that is net of fees/taxes if you want a conservative requirement.

What if required yield is negative?

It means contributions alone reach or exceed the goal. The calculator will show 0% as the needed return.

Can I model lump sums during the term?

Not directly. You can add lump sums to the starting balance or adjust contributions in scenarios to approximate the effect.

finance calculator

What’s Your Yield?

Estimate the annualized yield required to grow from a starting balance with monthly contributions to a desired future value over a set time.

Results

Required annual yield: 5.28%

How to use this calculator

Enter starting balance, desired ending balance, monthly contribution, and years.
We solve for the required annualized yield (assuming fixed monthly contributions and steady returns).
Adjust contributions or time to see how much the required yield falls when you contribute more or wait longer.

Inputs explained

Starting balance: Current amount invested/saved.
Ending balance: Target amount you want to reach.
Monthly contribution: Amount added each month toward the goal.
Years: Time horizon to reach the goal.

How it works

We solve for a monthly rate that grows the starting balance and monthly contributions to the desired ending balance, then annualize it to show required yield.

Formula

We solve FV = startBalance × (1 + r)^n + monthlyContribution × [((1 + r)^n − 1) ÷ r], where r is monthly rate and n is total months. Annual yield = (1 + r)^12 − 1.

When to use it

Finding the return needed to hit a target savings goal given time and contributions.
Stress-testing whether a goal is realistic with your contribution rate.
Comparing outcomes if you increase contributions vs chasing higher returns.
Checking if extending the timeline reduces required yield to a comfortable level.
Evaluating if a market return assumption matches historical ranges for your asset mix.

Tips & cautions

If the result is high, consider increasing contributions or extending the timeline.
If your contributions alone reach the goal (no growth), yield will show 0%.
Required yields above long-term market averages may be unrealistic—boost contributions instead.
Use after-fee/after-tax assumptions if you want a more conservative target.
Run multiple scenarios to see which mix of contribution and time makes the yield achievable.
Simplified; ignores taxes/fees and assumes constant returns and contributions.
Does not model volatility; real returns vary year to year.
Assumes monthly contributions; lump sums or changing contributions aren’t modeled.

Worked examples

Moderate goal

Start $20,000; Goal $60,000; Contribution $500/mo; Years 5.
Required annual yield is solved from the cash-flow equation; moderate contributions plus time lower the needed return.

Higher contribution lowers required yield

Same scenario but $700/mo contribution.
Required yield drops materially because contributions do more heavy lifting.

Aggressive short timeline

Start $10,000; Goal $100,000; Contribution $300/mo; Years 5.
Required yield will be very high—signals that contributions or timeline need adjustment.

Longer horizon reduces yield

Start $25,000; Goal $150,000; Contribution $400/mo; Years 15.
Required yield drops to a more attainable level with the longer runway.

Deep dive

Find the annual yield needed to reach a target balance given your starting amount, contributions, and time.

Enter start/goal balances, monthly contribution, and years to solve for required return.

Test higher contributions or longer timelines to bring required yield into realistic ranges.

Use this to gut-check ambitious goals before setting investment expectations.

FAQs

Does this include fees or taxes?: No. Enter a target yield that is net of fees/taxes if you want a conservative requirement.
What if required yield is negative?: It means contributions alone reach or exceed the goal. The calculator will show 0% as the needed return.
Can I model lump sums during the term?: Not directly. You can add lump sums to the starting balance or adjust contributions in scenarios to approximate the effect.

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Illustrative required-yield calculator. Assumes constant monthly contributions and steady returns, excluding taxes/fees/volatility. Use realistic return assumptions for your asset mix and consult a financial professional for personalized planning.