FreeByte

Career break cost calculator

Lost income and lost compounding.

Built and reviewed by Dovanic, Founder and editor, FreeByteLast reviewed: 2026-08-18
$
4%
6.5%

Income forgone

$82,000

Long-run cost with growth

$395,871

With these inputs, income forgone comes to $82,000 over 25 years. Long-run cost with growth works out to $395,871. The result assumes investment return stays at 6.5%.

Salary lag after return
$3,280/yr

Over time · by years to retirement

What moves the number · Income forgone

Input−10%Now+10%
Salary$73,800$82,000$90,200
Months out$73,800$82,000$90,200

Solve for an input

Whatmakesequal

Compare scenarios

Save this set of inputs, change something, then save again to compare the outcomes side by side.

Lost income and lost compounding.

A worked example

Starting figures

Salary
$82,000
Months out
12
Raise forgone
4%
Investment return
6.5%
Years to retirement
25

What it returns

Income forgone
$82,000
Long-run cost with growth
$395,871
Salary lag after return
$3,280/yr

How to read the results

With the defaults above, income forgone works out at $82,000.

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