Cost of Delay Calculator

The cost of delay quantifies the compound growth forfeited by postponing the start of regular investing. Because compound interest generates returns on previous returns, early contributions are disproportionately valuable. A single £5,000 contribution at age 25 growing at 7% for 40 years reaches £74,872. The same £5,000 invested at age 35 (10-year delay) grows for only 30 years to £38,061 — losing £36,811, or almost half the final value, despite the same contribution.

For regular monthly contributions, the cost of delay is even more dramatic. Starting at age 25 with £300/month at 7% for 40 years (to age 65) accumulates approximately £790,000. Delaying 10 years to age 35, the same £300/month for 30 years reaches only £365,000 — a cost of delay of £425,000. To match the early starter's outcome, the delayed investor would need to contribute approximately £650/month, more than double the amount.

The calculator isolates the growth lost by showing three scenarios side by side: starting now, starting with a 1-year delay, a 5-year delay, and a 10-year delay. Each scenario shows total contributions, total growth, and the shortfall compared to starting immediately. It also calculates the additional monthly contribution needed in each delayed scenario to match the non-delayed outcome, quantifying the real cost of procrastination in pounds.