in fact, this account should open with $11000, not $10,000, and i'm going to be able to get $16000 out if the max $20000, not $15000. i should get $1000 for every year back to 2015 plus the $1000 for 2025 and, because it's the end of the year, i should get it all right away.

i'm pretty sure the carry forward doesn't run out after ten years but i'm going to cal to make sure.

nonetheless, if i only put $2000 in by the end the year, which would be $500 each for 2015-2018, and subsequently only received $6000 immediately, how would i recalculate?

the max for 2026 will then be 500 for 2019-2025 (7*500 is 3500 multiplied by 3 is $10500). 3500/12 ~300. that may be more attractive to me to start if i can't get a lump sum in from family.

the max for 2027 will be 500 for 2026 ($1500) plus 1000 for the first four years (2015-2018) (4000*2 = 8000) plus $500 more for 2019 ($1000), which is $5000. 500/12 ~ 420.

the max for 2028 will be 500 for 2027 ($1500) plus $500 for 2019 ($1000) plus $1000 for the next four years (2020-2023), which is again $5000 and again ~420/month.

the max for 2029 would be 500 for 2028 ($1500) + $1000 each for 2024-2027 ($8000) + $500 more for 2028 ($1000). same contributions.

the max for 2030 would be 500 for 2029 ($1500) + 500 for 2028 ($1000) + 1000 for 2029 ($2000) + 500 for 2030 ($1500) + 1000 for 2030 ($2000), which is an additional $3500 to get the last $8000. 3500/12 is ~300 again.

total grants wold remain $6000 + 4*10500 + 8000 = 56000.

that seems more attractive to me, i think, unless i can get a sum in immediately.