Required Rate of Return Calculator - What Return Do You Need?
Calculate what investment return you need to reach your financial goal.
See if your target is realistic based on historical market averages.
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Sources & References
S&P 500 Historical Returns
• Average annual return (1926-2024): ~10% nominal, ~7% inflation-adjusted
• Standard deviation: ~20% (indicating significant year-to-year volatility)
• Standard deviation: ~20% (indicating significant year-to-year volatility)
Dividend Yields
• S&P 500 average dividend yield: 1.5-2.0% (as of 2024-2025)
• Historical dividend growth rate: ~5.9% annually (1960-2024)
• Historical dividend growth rate: ~5.9% annually (1960-2024)
Bond Returns
• 10-Year Treasury bonds: ~5% average annual return (1926-2024)
• Corporate bonds (investment grade): ~6% average annual return
• Corporate bonds (investment grade): ~6% average annual return
Inflation Rate
• Long-term average: ~3% annually (1926-2024)
• Recent (2020-2024): 2-8% range with 2022 peak at 8%
• Recent (2020-2024): 2-8% range with 2022 peak at 8%
Important
Past performance does not guarantee future results. Market returns vary significantly year-to-year. These are long-term historical averages.
⚠️ Important