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Here's How Much You Need to Invest Monthly to Reach $1 Million by 65

Getting to $1 million by age 65 is a lot easier if you start early. Here's why.

By Chris Kissell

Edited by Lisa Dammeyer

Updated Jan. 14, 2026

Many of us dream about getting rich. Although $1 million doesn't go as far as it once did, it still represents a solid nest egg for retirement and remains a key sign of financial success for many people.

Saving $1 million may seem like a daunting task. However, due to the power of compound interest, it may be easier than you think — especially if you start investing early.

How much money do you need to invest monthly to reach the $1 million mark by age 65? Find out below.

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Your rate of return matters

Before we get into the numbers, it's important to emphasize that your annual rate of return will dictate how rich you become and how fast you get there.

If you invest $10,000 at age 20 and your investment grows at a rate of 5% annually, you will have roughly $90,000 at the age of 65. However, if you get a return of 10%, that same $10,000 will grow to nearly $730,000 by the time you reach 65.

Historically, the stock market has gained about 10% a year on average. But there is no guarantee that the future will look like the past. In our examples, we will be a bit more conservative and use a 7% average annual return.

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If you start investing at 18

The earlier in life you start to invest, the easier it is to build a huge nest egg. The more time your investments have to compound, the larger your net worth is likely to be.

If you are 18, you will need to save $254 a month to reach $1 million by the age of 65, assuming a 7% annual return.

If you start investing at 25

Investing at age 18 is great if you're able to, but relatively few people have a robust income then. Many young people go to college or trade school before beginning their careers.

So, many folks find age 25 to be a more realistic starting point for their investing journey. You will need to save $418 a month to reach $1 million by the age of 65.

If you start investing at 35

By the age of 35, it is likely that your income will have risen substantially compared to when you were younger. Of course, it's also likely that family expenses have started to creep into the picture by the time you reach this age. But you still should have more income to invest at 35 than you did when you were younger.

If you start investing at 35, you will need to save $883 a month to reach $1 million by the age of 65.

If you start investing at 45

Someone who is 45 is likely well advanced in their career. You may be in a management position. Or perhaps the small business you started in your 20s or 30s is now thriving.

If you start investing at 45, you will need to save $2,033 a month to reach $1 million by the age of 65.

If you start investing at 55

Most people find that their peak earning years occur in their 50s. In addition, children may be out of the house and have graduated from college or trade school.

An empty nest may translate to a fuller bank account. That means you might be ready to earmark large amounts of cash for investing purposes.

If you start investing at 55, you will need to save $6,032 a month to reach $1 million by the age of 65.

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The power of compound interest

After seeing the numbers above, something should immediately jump out: If you begin your investing journey early in life, you can invest significantly less money every month and still reach $1 million by age 65.

The power of compound interest is phenomenal. It represents the interest you gain on both your initial principal and any interest that you earned previously. Over time, compound interest grows your money in remarkable ways.

The odds are in your favor, but there are no guarantees

Throughout the history of the United States, people who have invested over long periods have been handsomely rewarded. America is the most prosperous nation in world history, and many experts expect that trend to continue for a long time to come.

However, there are no guarantees in investing. If you put money into the stock market and keep it there for decades, your odds of success are high. But no one can say for sure what the future holds.

If you are unsure about how to invest, consider talking to a financial advisor to get an expert perspective.

Bottom line

Building a nest egg of $1 million probably sounds like a daunting task. But many people in everyday jobs achieve this goal simply by consistently investing over a long period.

So, start investing as soon as you can. And if you are beginning later in life, remember that it is never too late to improve your financial future.

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