What does the late fee cost from age 30 to 65?
The Late Fee
$25 six times a year, age 30 to 65 — the long-term cost is $22,000.
How the number's built.
The fee is an annoyance, paid and forgotten. A small charge for administrative friction. But six $25 fees a year is $150. Compounded over 35 years, it reaches $22,000. A steep penalty for a missed date.
Automating the payment today.
$22,000 stays compounding.
No rush. It keeps until you want it.
automate the payment to avoid $150/year in fees
compounding at 7% return over 35 years
total recovered: $22,000
$25 fee × 6 times / year = $150 annual spend
$5,250 cash contributed over 35 years
+ $16,750 compound growth (7% return)
total cost = $22,000
The cost of missing the deadline
Last reviewed: May 2026.
An estimate built for reflection — not financial, medical, or legal advice. The figures follow the assumptions above.