| TABLE 1. The Importance of Return Order With Interim Cash Flows (Starting Value = $100) | ||||||||
| Year | High Returns Late | High Returns Early | ||||||
| Annual Returns |
No Deposits or Withdrawals |
Deposit $10/ Year |
Withdraw $5/ Year |
Annual Returns |
No Deposits or Withdrawals |
Deposit $10/ Year |
Withdraw $5/ Year |
|
| 0 | — | $100 | $100 | $100 | — | $100 | $100 | $100 |
| 1 | -10% | $90 | $99 | $86 | 10% | $110 | $121 | $105 |
| 2 | -10% | $81 | $98 | $72 | 10% | $121 | $144 | $109 |
| 3 | -10% | $73 | $97 | $61 | 10% | $133 | $170 | $115 |
| 4 | -10% | $66 | $97 | $50 | 10% | $146 | $197 | $121 |
| 5 | -10% | $59 | $96 | $41 | 10% | $161 | $228 | $127 |
| 6 | -10% | $53 | $95 | $32 | 10% | $177 | $262 | $135 |
| 7 | -10% | $48 | $95 | $24 | 10% | $195 | $299 | $143 |
| 8 | -10% | $43 | $94 | $17 | 10% | $214 | $340 | $151 |
| 9 | 10% | $47 | $115 | $14 | -10% | $193 | $315 | $132 |
| 10 | 10% | $52 | $137 | $10 | -10% | $174 | $293 | $114 |
| 11 | 10% | $57 | $162 | $5 | -10% | $156 | $272 | $98 |
| 12 | 10% | $63 | $189 | $0 | -10% | $141 | $254 | $84 |
| 13 | 10% | $69 | $219 | -$6 | -10% | $127 | $238 | $71 |
| 14 | 10% | $76 | $252 | -$12 | -10% | $114 | $223 | $59 |
| 15 | 10% | $84 | $288 | -$18 | -10% | $103 | $210 | $49 |
| 16 | 10% | $92 | $328 | -$26 | -10% | $92 | $198 | $40 |