Free tool

The Cost of Waiting Calculator

Small amounts, invested early, become surprisingly large. This shows you your number — and the price of putting it off. Move the sliders and watch it change.

Monthly investment £200

Starting amount £0

Your age now 28

Invest until age 65

Expected annual return 7%

Global stock markets have averaged ~7% a year after inflation, historically. The future isn't guaranteed.

See the cost of waiting 5 yrs

If you start today, at 65 you could have

£0

—

You put in

£0

Growth (free money)

£0

Years invested

⏳ Wait 5 years instead of starting now?

£0

That's how much smaller your pot would be — for delaying the exact same monthly amount. Time does the heavy lifting, not the size of your payments.

Total pot What you paid in

For education only — not financial advice, and returns are not guaranteed. Figures are illustrative, ignore tax, fees and inflation-adjusted contributions, and assume a constant annual return. Your real results will differ.