Understanding Performance

Want to know a simple strategy that can help you end up with thousands more to spend in retirement?

A good financial plan has to adapt over time to be successful. Here’s how Betterment helps you do that.

Understanding and using time-weighted and money-weighted returns within your Betterment dashboard.

Learn the different ways returns can be calculated, and find answers to common questions we hear from customers about their returns.

In taxable investing, your after-tax return—the amount you “take home”—is what’s important. Yet far too many investors focus on market performance. Let’s look at the difference.

We’re investors in the stock market because it has a long, time-tested history of generating big returns for those patient enough to let compound interest work its magic.

Unexpected or hidden fees can damage your long-term investment returns. Sync your outside accounts with Betterment now and see how much you’re being charged by other investment providers.

Historical data suggests that customers who follow our advice will stay on track to reach their goals, even in a market downturn as bad as the 2008 crisis.

Short-term or recent returns give little information about future returns, and they increase the odds you’ll make a bad decision.

A diversified bond basket can actually benefit from rising interest rates.