GoalsMapper calculates investment contributions based on the contribution amount, frequency, start and end period entered for the investment.
This means the amount shown for the first or final year may not always represent a full year of contributions.
If a starting month is provided
When a starting month is entered, GoalsMapper only includes contributions from that month onwards.
For example:
- Monthly contribution: $1,000
- Starting month: July
GoalsMapper will include 6 contributions from July to December.
First-year contribution:
$1,000 × 6 = $6,000
This timing is also taken into account when calculating invested capital, investment-related expenses and projected investment values.
What if no starting month is provided?
If no starting month is entered, GoalsMapper assumes that the contribution starts in January.
For example, a monthly contribution of $1,000 with no starting month will be treated as 12 contributions for that calendar year.
Therefore, the partial first-year calculation only applies when a starting month has been provided.
Why might there be no contribution in the final year?
The payment end age in GoalsMapper is exclusive.
For example, if a contribution is entered from age 30 to age 40, contributions are made from age 30 through age 39.
There is no contribution at age 40.
These timing rules allow the investment projection to better reflect when contributions are expected to be made.