Although our example mutual fund has been around for over 87 years, most people do not have an 87-year time frame. Here we see what we would have received if we had invested $100 per month for 30 years, for 40 years, and for 40 years, increasing by $10 each year. For those in their late 40's and 50's, we also see what would have been returned if we had invested $500 or $1,000 per month for 20 years. Disclaimer: Past results are not a guarantee of future returns! (Our lawyers told us to say that.)