The Time Value of Money

What's the best way to build wealth for your retirement? Many financial experts agree that investing in the stock and bond markets can help investors build wealth over time and achieve retirement planning goals. That's because stocks and stock funds have historically outperformed all other types of investments over the long-term.

The chart below illustrates how much $100 would grow over a 20-year period - from 1980 to 2000 - if invested in the stock market, U.S. Treasury bonds, or U.S.Treasury Bills.