What this calculator shows you
- 5 and 10-Year Projections
- See where your current trajectory leads.
- Velocity Calculation
- Measure your annual wealth growth rate.
- Acceleration Detection
- Know if your growth is speeding up or slowing down.
- Trajectory Chart
- Visualize your projected wealth path with historical context.
What is Velocity?
Velocity measures the rate of change. Net worth velocity is how fast your wealth is growing (or shrinking) annually. A $50,000 net worth growing at 20% velocity will overtake a $100,000 net worth growing at 5% velocity within years.
The Power of Acceleration
Even better than high velocity is positive acceleration—velocity that is increasing. If your growth rate went from 10% to 15% to 20%, you are accelerating. This compounds dramatically over time.
Projecting the Future
The forecaster uses your historical data points to calculate current velocity and project forward. It assumes your contributions and market returns remain similar. Major life changes would alter the projection.
Questions people ask
How accurate are long-term projections?
They are directional guides, not guarantees. 5-year projections are reasonably reliable if your situation stays similar. 10-year projections have more uncertainty. Use them for planning, not promises.
What causes velocity to slow down?
Common causes: lifestyle inflation eating into savings rate, debt accumulation, reduced income, poor investment returns. If you detect deceleration, investigate the cause immediately.
Can velocity be negative?
Yes. If your net worth is shrinking, velocity is negative. This is a serious warning sign requiring immediate action: reduce spending, increase income, or address the specific cause of wealth destruction.
Education only, not personalized financial, tax or investment advice. Results are estimates based on the numbers you enter; real returns vary and losses happen.