Investment Return Comparison
Software engineer in Madrid · Independent and uneven
This page compares financial outcomes for a Software engineer living in Madrid, Spain, following the Independent and uneven life scenario.
A non-linear income path shaped by project-based work, variability, and self-managed risk. Flexibility is high, but consistency must be actively created rather than assumed.
Madrid concentrates many higher-paying roles and business opportunities, with a correspondingly higher urban cost structure.
The comparison focuses on how changing the Investment return (expected) influences long-term results, while all other assumptions remain constant.
Simulation Overview
Base scenario assumptions
- The simulation starts at age 30 and runs until age 65.
- The initial annual labor income is €27,720.
- Labor income grows annually at an average rate of 4%.
- A labor income tax rate of 30% is applied to gross earnings.
- The saving rate is set to 15%.
- Minimum annual living expenses are €14,160.
- Savings are invested with stochastic annual returns.
- The average annual return is 5%, with year-to-year variability.
- All values are expressed in real terms, assuming average annual inflation of 2%.
- The simulation includes stochastic life events such as unemployment, and health issue.
- These events may temporarily affect income, expenses, or net worth.
- Financial independence is defined as having net worth equal to 25 times annual expenses.
- Bankruptcy is triggered if net worth remains below €0 for 2 consecutive years.
Scenario Comparison
Results are shown as a realistic range. P10 represents a pessimistic outcome, while P90 represents an optimistic outcome. Most simulations fall between these two values.
| Scenario | Median Net Worth | P10 Net Worth | P90 Net Worth | FI Probability | FI Median Age |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3% | 299,592 | 198,535 | 451,918 | 34% | 62 |
| 5% | 419,126 | 271,694 | 649,644 | 71% | 60 |
| 7% | 599,010 | 382,163 | 960,278 | 94% | 58 |
How Your Financial Life Evolves
These charts show how each scenario affects long-term outcomes, including expected wealth, downside risk, and the likelihood of achieving financial independence.
Net Worth Median
Net Worth Range
Fi Probability
Fi Median Age