$10,000 invested in the S&P 500 in 1962
$10,000 put into an S&P 500 index fund in January 1962 would be worth about $6,610,702 by Sep 2026, with dividends reinvested. That is 10.6% a year.
Real monthly S&P 500 data, updated monthly. How we calculate$10,000 put into the S&P 500 in Jan 1962 is now worth
S&P 500 came out on top, 17.4× 10-year Treasury bonds, which reached $382,055. Just keeping up with prices needed $111,660, and both did better. It ends in Aug 2026, the latest month with data for Bonds.
Full results by asset
| Asset | Worth now | Per year | Total return | Worst drop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S&P 500 | $6,641,868 | 10.6% | 66,319% | −49% (Mar 2009) |
| Bonds | $382,055 | 5.8% | 3,721% | −25% (Oct 2023) |
The chart uses a log scale: equal steps up mean equal percentage gains. What each line measures: S&P 500, S&P 500 monthly average level with dividends reinvested (an index fund, before its small fee); Bonds, total return of 10-year US Treasury bonds (interest plus price changes), modelled from the monthly 10-year yield. Inflation uses the US Consumer Price Index. Monthly averages, data through Aug 2026; no fees or taxes. Past returns do not predict future returns.
The result
Over 65 years the money doubled about 9.4 times. Without reinvesting dividends it would be $1,110,382: dividends account for 83% of the final value.
Inflation matters over this long. $10,000 in 1962 had the buying power of about $111,660 today, so the real gain is $6,610,702 against $111,660: still 59.2× the buying power, or 6.5% a year above inflation.
It was not a smooth ride. The value fell 49% from a high around Mar 2009, during the 2008 financial crisis. Holding through it was the price of the final number.
The same $10,000 in other assets from January 1962: 10-year Treasury bonds: $382,055. Compare more assets.
| After | Year | Worth |
|---|---|---|
| 5 years | 1967 | $14,314 |
| 10 years | 1972 | $20,615 |
| 20 years | 1982 | $36,079 |
| 30 years | 1992 | $187,877 |
| 40 years | 2002 | $628,844 |
| 50 years | 2012 | $870,647 |
| 60 years | 2022 | $3,707,235 |
| Now | Sep 2026 | $6,610,702 |
Value over time, with dividends reinvested. No fees or taxes.
Try other amounts and years
Common questions
How much would $10,000 invested in the S&P 500 in 1962 be worth today?
About $6,610,702 as of Sep 2026, with dividends reinvested and no fees or taxes. Without dividends, about $1,110,382.
What was the average yearly return since 1962?
10.6% a year before inflation and 6.5% after inflation.
How much is $10,000 from 1962 in today's money?
About $111,660, based on US consumer prices (CPI). See inflation since 1962.
Is a lump sum better than investing monthly?
Historically a lump sum came out ahead about two-thirds of the time, because markets rise more often than they fall. Spreading it out reduces regret if a crash comes right after. Test both with the lump sum vs DCA calculator.
Based on the S&P 500 monthly average level with dividends reinvested (an index fund before its small fee). Educational estimates, not investment advice. Past returns do not predict future returns.
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