Project a variable annuity’s value after fees.
Please do not make financial decisions based on these results.
What is the Variable Annuity Calculator?
Project a variable annuity’s value after fees. To use the Variable Annuity Calculator, enter investment, gross return, total annual fees, years; it returns value after fees, value with no fees, cost of fees, and shows them instantly as you type.
Turning savings into income
Near retirement, the questions change from saving to spending. The annuity payout calculator shows what a lump sum could pay, the Social Security calculator compares claiming ages, and the RMD calculator shows required withdrawals.
How to use the Variable Annuity Calculator
- Enter your numbers. Start with Investment ($), Gross return (%), Total annual fees (%), then fill in Years. Use today’s balances and your real contribution amounts, then test a more cautious return. Fields marked optional can stay at zero.
- Read the result. The highlighted box gives the Value after fees, and the cards below show Value with no fees, Cost of fees. Tables and charts break it down further.
- Test other scenarios. Results update as you type. Change one value at a time to see what drives the answer, and press Reset to go back to the defaults.
Formula and how it works
Example with real numbers
Here is the Variable Annuity Calculator using the default values shown in the calculator above:
Inputs
| Investment ($) | 150,000 |
|---|---|
| Gross return (%) | 7 |
| Total annual fees (%) | 2.3 |
| Years | 15 |
Results
| Value after fees | $298,738.70 |
|---|---|
| Value with no fees | $413,854.73 |
| Cost of fees | $115,116.03 |
With these inputs the calculator returns Value after fees: $298,738.70. Change any value in the calculator to see how the result moves.
What if you change one input?
Sensitivity check: raising Investment ($) from 150,000 to 180,000 (about 20% higher) and leaving everything else as in the example above changes the results like this:
| Result | Example | After the change | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Value after fees | $298,738.70 | $358,486.44 | +20% |
| Value with no fees | $413,854.73 | $496,625.68 | +20% |
| Cost of fees | $115,116.03 | $138,139.24 | +20% |
The input that moves the result most is the one to check twice. Change it in the calculator above to test your own case.
What the results tell you
The results panel of the Variable Annuity Calculator reports Value after fees, value with no fees and cost of fees. Compare these figures while changing one input at a time, and use the related calculators below to look at the same situation from another angle.
Method and limits. This calculator applies the formula in the section above to your inputs, in your browser; nothing you enter is stored on our servers. Retirement results depend on returns, inflation and contribution limits that change over time. They are projections, not promises. It is for information, not financial, tax or legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
Why are variable annuity fees important?
Layered fees often total 2% or more a year and drag on returns.
When should I claim Social Security?
Claiming at 62 reduces your benefit permanently, while waiting until 70 increases it. The best age depends on your health, other income and spouse. The Social Security Calculator compares the options.
Are the contribution limits current?
The 2026 IRS limits are built in (401(k) $24,500, IRA $7,500) and can be edited in the data file.
Are the results guaranteed?
No. Results depend entirely on the numbers you enter and the formulas shown on this page. Please do not make financial decisions based on them alone; confirm important figures with a licensed professional.
Related retirement calculators
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- Immediate Annuity Calculator
- Future Value of Annuity Calculator
- Present Value of Annuity Calculator
- Growing Annuity Calculator
- Retirement Calculator
- 401(k) Calculator
- Roth IRA Calculator
- IRA Calculator
- RMD Calculator