These 3 Charts Show The Amazing Power Of Compound Interest
Isaac Brekken / Stringer / Getty Images
Retirement accounts such as 401(k)s and Roth IRAs aren't just savings accounts - they're actively invested, and therefore have the potential to make the most of this benefit.
As Business Insider's Sam Ro explains, "Compound interest occurs when the interest that accrues to an amount of money in turn accrues interest itself."
So why is that so important?
The charts below will show you the incredible impact compound interest has on your savings and why starting to save in your 20s is one of the best things you can do.
1. Compound interest is incredibly powerful.
The chart below from JP Morgan shows how one saver (Susan) who invests for only 10 years early in her career, ends up with more wealth than another saver (Bill), who saves for 30 years later in life.
By starting early, Susan was able to better take advantage of compound interest.
Chris, the third saver profiled, is the ideal: He contributed steadily for his entire career.
2. When you start saving outweighs how much you save.
This chart by Business Insider's Andy Kiersz also emphasizes the impact of compound interest, and the importance of starting early. Saver Emily, represented by the blue line, starts saving the exact same amount as Dave (the red line), but begins 10 years earlier. Ultimately, she contributes around 33% more than Dave over the course of her career, but ends up with almost twice as much wealth as he does.
Business Insider/Andy Kiersz
3. It can even make you a millionaire.
Compound interest can get you pretty far. In fact, Business Insider calculated - based on your current age and a 6% return rate - how much you need to be saving per month in order to reach $1 million by age 65. You can also see the calculations based on different rates of return.
Business Insider/Andy Kiersz
- Global stocks rally even as Sensex, Nifty fall sharply on Friday
- In second consecutive week of decline, forex kitty drops $2.28 bn to $640.33 bn
- SBI Life Q4 profit rises 4% to ₹811 crore
- IMD predicts severe heatwave conditions over East, South Peninsular India for next five days
- COVID lockdown-related school disruptions will continue to worsen students’ exam results into the 2030s: study
- JNK India IPO allotment date
- JioCinema New Plans
- Realme Narzo 70 Launched
- Apple Let Loose event
- Elon Musk Apology
- RIL cash flows
- Charlie Munger
- Feedbank IPO allotment
- Tata IPO allotment
- Most generous retirement plans
- Broadcom lays off
- Cibil Score vs Cibil Report
- Birla and Bajaj in top Richest
- Nestle Sept 2023 report
- India Equity Market