Guide

Compounding is not a promise

Compounding is arithmetic: earnings can themselves earn, if they exist and if you leave them invested. Marketing charts often assume a smooth rate, no fees, no taxes, and no year where you must sell at a loss.

Sequence risk is the gap between “average 7%” and “the decade after you retire started with a drawdown.” Inflation is another gap: a larger nominal number can buy less.

Use the on-site calculator only to see how sensitive an illustration is to the rate you typed. Then ignore the exact dollar figure. Real planning uses ranges, fees, and a professional who can look at your actual accounts.