Final answer:
To calculate the amount needed to be deposited each month for a retirement fund, use the formula for the future value of an ordinary annuity. Plugging in the given values, you would need to deposit approximately $782.92 each month into the account.
Step-by-step explanation:
To calculate the amount needed to be deposited each month, we can use the formula for the future value of an ordinary annuity:
FV = P × [(1 + r)^n - 1] / r
Where:
- FV is the future value ($400,000)
- P is the deposit amount each month
- r is the interest rate per period (5% divided by 12, since it's monthly)
- n is the number of periods (20 years multiplied by 12 months)
Plugging in the given values:
400,000 = P × [(1 + (0.05/12))^(20 * 12) - 1] / (0.05/12)
Solving for P, we get:
P = 400,000 / [(1 + 0.0041667)^(240) - 1] / 0.0041667
Therefore, you would need to deposit approximately $782.92 each month into the account.