Start at 25 or at 35? €100 a month until 65
Two people save the same €100 a month until 65. One starts at 25, the other waits until 35. The ten-year wait costs more than you think.
Waiting ten years costs €140,484 at 65, even though the early starter paid in only €12,000 more.
Before inflation, growing 7% a year
Year by year
| Age | Start at 25 | Start at 35 | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| At 35 | €17,308 | €0 | €17,308 |
| At 45 | €52,093 | €17,308 | €34,784 |
| At 55 | €121,997 | €52,093 | €69,904 |
| At 65 | €262,481 | €121,997 | €140,484 |
Why ten years make such a difference
The early starter pays in only €12,000 more, yet ends up with more than twice as much. Those first ten years of payments have the longest time to compound.
To catch up, the person starting at 35 would need to save about €215 a month instead of €100.
Seen the other way round, every year of waiting widens the gap, because the missing payments are the ones with the most time to grow.
Questions people ask
Is 7% a year realistic?
Broad world stock indices have grown roughly 8 to 9% a year before inflation over long periods: the MSCI World index (developed markets, dividends reinvested, in US dollars) returned about 8.5% a year from the end of 1987 to April 2025, according to MSCI. Single years swung widely and nothing is guaranteed for the future. 7% is a cautious figure for an illustration; the calculator lets you try other rates.
What does “in today’s money” mean?
Prices rise over time, so the same money buys less later. We divide the future amount by 2.5% inflation a year to show what it would buy today.
Are fees and tax included?
No. Fund fees and tax on gains lower the result; you can switch both on in the calculator to see by how much.
More examples
See all worked examples- €5,000 at birth: what it could be worth at 70See the example
Grows to about €661,958 by age 70 at 7% a year, with nothing added.
- €5,000 at birth: what it is worth at 18See the example
Worth about €17,563 on the 18th birthday at 7% a year.
- Saving for a child: €100 a month from birth to 18See the example
About €43,072 by the 18th birthday at 7% a year.
- €5 a day for 30 years: what a skipped soft drink becomesSee the example
About €185,537 after 30 years at 7% a year.
Illustration only, not investment advice. It assumes a steady 7% a year and 2.5% inflation; real markets go up and down, and fees and tax lower the result. Check the rules for accounts in your country.