Camille Van Vyve

12 Sep 2025

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Investing €100.000: 6 scenarios over 10 years reveal the true cost of doing nothing

You have €100.000 sitting in your savings account and are hesitant to leap into investing? This tidy sum might feel reassuring in the bank, but inflation quietly erodes your purchasing power year after year. Meanwhile, financial markets offer significant growth opportunities for savvy investors.

6 Investment strategies with varying risks

To help you gauge the real impact of your financial choices, we've analyzed six different investment strategies over a 10-year horizon. The results might surprise you and transform your wealth management perspective. Discover how €100.000 can evolve whether you prioritize absolute security or accept a calculated dose of risk.

Scenario 1: The safety of savings accounts, a long-term trap

Keeping your €100.000 in a savings account represents the choice of maximum security. In Belgium, regulated savings accounts currently offer a base rate of 0.11% plus a loyalty bonus of 0.01% after 12 months, totaling 0,12% per year. However, this meager return fails to compensate for the effect of inflation. Over the past five years, the average rate of Belgian savings accounts is around 0,15% per year.

10-Year Calculation

Despite a small apparent gain, in the face of 2% annual inflation, this traditional savings strategy would cause you to lose nearly 18% of your purchasing power over a decade.

Scenario 2: Short-term Belgian government bonds

One-year Belgian state bonds are a more rewarding investment than classic savings while maintaining minimal risk. The most recent Belgian state bond for one year, issued on September 4th, offers a gross coupon of 1,90%. After withholding tax of 30%, the net yield is 1.33%. This active management strategy of rolling over the investment annually allows benefiting from interest rate trends, provided they are favorable, which has not been the case lately, while maintaining maximum flexibility.

10-Year Calculation

Assuming a stable interest rate over 10 years, this strategy does not increase purchasing power, though it preserves it more than a simple savings account.

Scenario 3: Term accounts, a cautious compromise

While 5-year term accounts in Belgium currently offer gross yields above 2%, the average is rather around 1.6% per year once withholding tax is deducted. This solution combines capital guarantee with a remuneration higher than traditional savings... but still doesn’t increase long-term purchasing power.

By renewing this operation twice over 10 years, you benefit from temporal diversification while retaining the security of guaranteed deposits.

10-Year Calculation

This approach erodes purchasing power less than the previous one but does not create real capital growth over the decade.

Scenario 4: Long-term commitment with decade-long bonds

Investing in Belgian government bonds for 10 years is a bet on long-term stability. The latest issue, dated September 4th, offered a gross yield of 3,2% over 10 years, or 2,24% net, accounting for the 30% withholding tax. This approach eliminates reinvestment risk but exposes you to interest rate risk. It suits investors seeking predictable income without worrying about short-term market fluctuations.

10-Year Calculation

Although positive, this strategy offers modest inflation protection, generating a total real gain of just 2,4%.

Scenario 5: Balance with easyvest’s mixed portfolio

Easyvest Portfolio Level 6 offers a balanced allocation with 60% stocks and 40% bonds. This diversification allows capturing part of stock market growth while benefiting from bond stability.

With an average annual return of 7% on the stock portion and 2,8% on the bonds, the weighted return is 5,32% per year.

10-Year Calculation

This balanced approach delivers a real gain of 38%, demonstrating the effectiveness of diversification in building sustainable wealth. Note that starting 2026, Belgium will apply a 10% tax on capital gains from stocks. Considering the €10.000 exemption and the 30% withholding on the bond part, this brings the real gain to a bit over €30.000, a +30% gain in purchasing power over the decade.

Scenario 6: Bold rewards from 100% stocks

Easyvest Portfolio Level 10, composed of 100% stocks via globally diversified ETFs, aims for maximum long-term growth. Based on historical performances of developed markets, we assume an average annual return of 7%. This passive management through index funds allows capturing overall global economic growth while minimizing management fees. Note that this aggressive risk strategy suits only long-term investment horizons.

10-Year Calculation

This ambitious strategy generates a real gain of over 61%, illustrating the wealth creation potential of stock markets over the long term. Note that starting 2026, Belgium will apply a 10% tax on capital gains from stocks. Considering the €10.000 exemption, this results in €8.672 in taxes, for a total purchasing power gain of €52.979, equating to 53%.

Comparing Strategies: the verdict by numbers

Insights from this analysis

• Inaction is costly: Leaving €100.000 in a savings account loses nearly €18.000 in purchasing power.
• Risk is rewarded: Strategies including stocks significantly outperform risk-free investments.
• Diversification protects: The mixed portfolio offers a good risk-return compromise, but globally diversified stock ETFs are very tough to beat long-term.
• Time is on your side: Over 10 years, short-term fluctuations fade in favor of the upward trend.

Act now to transform your financial future

Every day of inaction is a missed opportunity to grow your capital. At Easyvest, our wealth management advisors help you build a portfolio suited to your profile, using diversified ETFs and a proven passive management approach. Don’t wait any longer: simulate your investment today on our site and contact one of our wealth managers to learn how to optimize your €100,000 and build the golden retirement you deserve.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I invest all my €100.000 at once?

Not necessarily; it might be advisable to spread your investments over time using a dollar-cost averaging strategy. This smooths out the impact of market fluctuations and reduces the risk of choosing the wrong entry point. At Easyvest, our advisors can help you develop a progressive investment plan tailored to your profile.

What if I need liquidity before 10 years?

Liquidity varies according to the chosen investments. Stock ETFs can be sold at any time on the market at the prevailing price, while term investments may incur penalties for early withdrawal. It is crucial to maintain a reserve of precautionary savings before investing.

Do historical returns guarantee future performance?

Absolutely not. These projections are based on historical averages and current market conditions that can change. Financial markets always involve capital loss risks. However, over long horizons like 10 years, the probability of diversified stock performance remains statistically high.

How to choose between different Easyvest portfolios?

The choice depends on your risk tolerance, investment horizon, and wealth goals. An investor profile questionnaire determines the optimal allocation. Generally, the longer your horizon and higher your risk tolerance, the more you can lean towards stock-rich portfolios.

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