Impact of Inflation on Investment Returns Calculator Inflation can have a powerful effect over time on the actual return of your investments. Unless your portfolio's return outpaces inflation, you may actually be losing purchasing power, even if the dollar amount of your portfolio is growing. Starting Balance $ Expected rate of return 0%1%2%3%4%5%6%7%8%9%10%11%12% Expected inflation rate 0%1%2%3%4%5%6%7%8%9%10%11%12% Number of years Years