Compound Interest Formula:
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Compound interest is the interest calculated on the initial principal and also on the accumulated interest of previous periods. It allows savings to grow at a faster rate compared to simple interest, making it a powerful concept for long-term investments.
The calculator uses the compound interest formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula calculates how much an investment will grow over time when interest is compounded at regular intervals.
Details: Understanding compound interest is crucial for financial planning, investment decisions, and retirement savings. It helps investors see how their money can grow over time and emphasizes the importance of starting early with investments.
Tips: Enter the principal amount in pounds, annual interest rate as a percentage, number of compounding periods per year, and time period in years. All values must be positive numbers.
Q1: What's the difference between simple and compound interest?
A: Simple interest is calculated only on the principal amount, while compound interest is calculated on both the principal and accumulated interest.
Q2: How does compounding frequency affect returns?
A: The more frequently interest is compounded, the higher the returns will be due to interest being calculated on interest more often.
Q3: What are typical compounding frequencies?
A: Common frequencies include annually (1), semi-annually (2), quarterly (4), monthly (12), and daily (365).
Q4: Is this calculator specific to Aviva UK products?
A: While designed with Aviva UK investment products in mind, the compound interest formula is universal and can be applied to any investment that compounds interest.
Q5: How accurate is this calculator for real investments?
A: This provides a mathematical estimate. Actual investment returns may vary due to fees, taxes, and fluctuating interest rates.