What-If · projection
What happens if I invest $10,000 as a lump sum?
Unlike the monthly scenarios, this is a single $10,000 invested once and left to grow — no further contributions. The projection shows what that one sum compounds to over the horizon, in today's dollars beside the nominal figure.
At a 7% nominal return and 2.5% inflation, $10k invested for 30 years becomes about $36k in today's dollars — $76k nominal. Illustrative assumptions, not a prediction or recommendation.
Year by year (default assumptions)
| Year | Today's dollars | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | $10,000 | $10,000 |
| 4 | $11,875 | $13,108 |
| 8 | $14,102 | $17,182 |
| 12 | $16,746 | $22,522 |
| 16 | $19,887 | $29,522 |
| 20 | $23,616 | $38,697 |
| 24 | $28,044 | $50,724 |
| 28 | $33,303 | $66,488 |
| 30 | $36,291 | $76,123 |
Assumptions & method
7% nominal annual return, 2.5% inflation (≈4.4% real). Conservative, illustrative, and editable — not a forecast.
Full defaults, sources, and the engine logic are on the methodology page.
Reviewed by Sam, Richify's What-If Strategist · Last reviewed 2026-06-30
Frequently asked questions
- How is a lump sum different from monthly investing?
- A lump sum is invested all at once, so the entire amount compounds for the full horizon. Monthly investing adds money over time, so later contributions compound for less. This page models the single-sum case.
- What if I left it longer or shorter?
- Time is the dominant lever for a lump sum — the result grows exponentially with the horizon. Change the years input to see how sharply the curve bends.
- Why is the today's-dollars figure smaller?
- It discounts the nominal result by inflation, showing real purchasing power. For a 30-year horizon that gap is large, which is exactly why both are shown.
- Are these returns certain?
- No. It's a fixed-rate projection for illustration; actual returns vary. It is not a forecast or a recommendation.
Try your own numbers with Sam
Sam explains the math of any scenario you set — no advice, just the projection.
Educational projection only — not financial advice, a forecast, or a recommendation. Results are the arithmetic of the assumptions you set; real returns vary. Figures shown in both today's dollars and nominal terms.
