SIP Cost of Delay Calculator

Compare the same monthly SIP started today and after a delay to see the effect of fewer contributions and compounding periods.

The Delay Scenario

Total loss due to starting late:

₹

Start Today

₹

Start After Delay

₹

💡 Insight: A 5 year delay shrinks the final wealth by !

Calculation Note: Used standard Nominal Rate method (Monthly Interest = Annual Rate / 12). If using "Effective Rate" formula may show slightly lower returns.

How the cost-of-delay estimate works

Both scenarios use the annuity-due formula: Corpus = SIP × ((1 + i)n − 1) ÷ i × (1 + i). The delayed scenario uses fewer monthly periods. The displayed cost is the difference between the two projected corpuses.

Start now

The SIP runs for the full selected investment duration.

Start later

The same SIP runs for total duration minus the delay.

Assumptions

Contributions occur at period start; return is constant; tax, fees, inflation, and volatility are excluded.

Worked cost-of-delay example

For a ₹10,000 monthly SIP, 12% expected return, 20-year horizon, and 5-year delayed start, the calculator estimates:

Start now
₹99,91,479
Start after 5 years
₹50,45,760
Projected gap
₹49,45,719

Frequently asked questions

Is the displayed gap an actual guaranteed loss?

No. It is the difference between two constant-return projections. Market returns and actual contribution behaviour can change the result.

Does the delayed investor contribute less money?

Yes. The delayed scenario has fewer monthly contributions as well as less time for compounding.

What if the delay equals the full duration?

The page limits the delay to less than the total duration so at least one investment year remains in the comparison.