Rule of 72 as of 72

No. Illustrations use round teaching numbers. Markets, inflation and taxes change. Restore the last inputs for Rule of 72: “Name the cash flows” and 72 in one session. In the net rate that compounds. Expense ratios, advice charges and spreads all reduce terminal wealth.

Higher net rates help, but time and contributions often dominate — especially early. Costs and behaviour can erase a “good” rate. Treat outputs as scenario sketches. Vary contribution, rate, fees and inflation to see which lever moves your goal date. Always ask whether a figure is nominal or real. A high nominal path can still lose purchasing power.

No. Illustrations use round teaching numbers. Markets, inflation and taxes change. In the net rate that compounds. Expense ratios, advice charges and spreads all reduce terminal wealth. From foundations, continue to contributions-vs-rate or fee-drag; for behaviour, open consistency-habit or panic-selling.

This atlas page keeps the focus on mechanisms you can reason about: rates, time, contributions, costs and behaviour — not stock tips or promised yields. Separate contributions, growth, fees, taxes and withdrawals. Mixing them hides which lever actually moved. Money without a date is storytelling. Compounding and discounting both need a clock.

Keep the name, the year, and 72. “Name the cash flows” is why those three stay. Restore the last inputs for Rule of 72: “Name the cash flows” and 72 in one session. 7272

Figures to keep

Year of the rule: 72
Figure in the sum: 72
Item: Rule of 72
Reason kept: Name the cash flows

Safe withdrawal rates as of 4 · 25-1Next essay All 1000 essays1000