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Investing in FTSE 250 shares could be a superb option to construct long-term wealth. It’s why I’m planning to extend my publicity to such shares in 2024. If previous efficiency is something to go by, this technique might assist me create a life-changing passive earnings stream.
The FTSE 100 is a well-liked place for brand new and skilled buyers alike to park their money. I personal a variety of blue-chip shares together with Aviva, Diageo, Rio Tinto and Unilever in my portfolio.
However I additionally personal a cluster of FTSE 250 corporations like Video games Workshop and Spire Healthcare. And there are actually dozens of different prime shares from London’s second-tier index I’m contemplating shopping for.
Historical past means that £300 invested every month in FTSE 250 shares might assist me generate a second earnings of £33,654 for the remainder of my life. Right here’s how.
A FTSE 250 technique
The superb long-term returns that UK share investing gives is properly documented. The FTSE 100, for example, delivered a median annual return of round 7.5% between its inception in 1984 and 2022.
Nonetheless, returns from the FTSE 250 have been even better. Because it started life in 1992, the index has supplied a median annual return of 11%.
Previous efficiency isn’t any assure of the longer term. However let’s assume these charges of return proceed for the following 30 years. What would a £300 month-to-month funding flip into?
Timescale | FTSE 100 | FTSE 250 |
---|---|---|
5 years | £21,758.13 | £23,855.42 |
10 years | £53,379.10 | £65,099.44 |
20 years | £166,119.22 | £259,691.41 |
30 years | £404,233.63 | £841,355.92 |
Large distinction
As we are able to see, over a 30-year interval I’d earn greater than twice as a lot by deciding on FTSE 250 shares as a substitute of FTSE 100 ones.
A small distinction within the quick time period steadily spirals over these three a long time, due to the miracle of compounding. This includes the regular reinvestment of dividends, which might give me much more shares and (by extension) dividends, giving me an more and more giant pot to earn cash on.
The chart beneath exhibits simply how mighty a weapon compounding could be in creating long-term wealth.

So we’ve managed to make a whopping retirement pot of £841,355.92 after 30 years of standard funding. Now let’s switch that right into a second earnings through the use of the 4% drawdown rule.
This technique would let me draw a retirement earnings for 30 years earlier than I run out of cash. On this instance it will give me a beneficiant annual earnings of £33,654.24.
A £33,654 passive earnings
Incomes a £30k+ earnings for doing nothing is a fairly thrilling prospect, I’m positive readers will agree. However as with every funding, buying UK shares isn’t with out threat.
Within the case of the FTSE 250, annual returns might path these historic ranges ought to the British economic system endure sluggish development. This as a result of the index is very geared in the direction of corporations that earn most or all their earnings from these shores.
However as I’ve proven, constructing a portfolio of FTSE 250 shares might additionally generate life-changing riches and pace up the journey to monetary freedom. For this reason I plan to proceed including to my shares portfolio lengthy into the longer term.