Starting investing at 40: what to do

Starting at 40 isn’t too late — but your plan needs clearer targets. Use the calculator to estimate contributions and timelines.

Step 1: pick a target

Choose a target retirement amount, or start with an income goal using the Retirement calculator.

Is 40 too late to start?

Often no. You still have decades of potential compounding — but you need a plan and consistent contributions.

What if the monthly required number is high?

Try increasing retirement age by 1–3 years and re-running. Small timeline increases can reduce the needed monthly amount.

Should I invest or pay off debt first?

It depends on interest rates and your risk tolerance. This tool is for modelling and education only.

How do I set a retirement target?

Use /retire.html to estimate a nest egg for an income goal, then plug that target into /startlate.html.

Does this include pensions/super?

No. You can subtract guaranteed income from your target needs when planning.