Coast FIRE Calculator

Find out when you can stop saving and let your investments grow to financial independence.

Enter your age, target retirement age, income, expenses, and net worth. The calculator will show how much you need to save each month and for how long to reach Coast FIRE.

Retirement Expectations

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Current Financial Situation

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Assumptions:

Net worth allocation: 100% in stocks at 7% annual return.

Withdrawal Rate: 4% (Safe Withdrawal Rate)

You can achieve Coast FIRE in:

6.4

years, by age

36.4

Net worth at Coast FIRE age:

$

247,800.

60

Summary of results:

To retire with $36,000 per year, you need $900,000 in investments, this is your FIRE target.

By saving $2,083 per month for 6 years and 5 months, you will reach coast FIRE. You can stop contributing after this period knowing your investments will grow on their own to reach your FIRE target by the time you retire.

At 55, your net worth is projected to reach $906,590. With a 4% withdrawal rate, this will provide $36,263 annually to cover your expenses.

By investing early, you take advantage of compound growth, eliminating the need for continuous contributions.

Our Method: A More Precise Coast FIRE Calculation

Many Coast FIRE calculators use simplified annual compounding, which can slightly overestimate the net worth required to reach financial independence. Our model applies monthly compounding, providing a more realistic projection of how your investments grow over time.

Why does this matter?

  • Real-world investing reinvests stock market gains monthly, not yearly.

  • Small differences in compounding add up, meaning you may reach Coast FIRE earlier and with a lower required net worth than other calculators suggest.

  • Online tools that overestimate your Coast FIRE number may unnecessarily delay your financial independence journey.

With our calculator, you get a more actionable and accurate estimate to help you coast sooner with confidence.

Key Terms to Understand Your Coast FIRE Projection

  • FIRE Target:

    Your FIRE target (also called FIRE number) is the total invested amount required to retire safely (often based on the 4% rule, meaning 25× your annual expenses).

  • Coast FIRE Target:

    Your Coast FIRE target (also called coast FIRE number) is the amount you need now for your investments to grow on their own, ensuring they’ll fully sustain your annual expenses by retirement—without needing additional savings.

  • Coast FIRE Age:

    The age at which you no longer need to save actively -- your investments can grow on autopilot to reach FIRE.

  • Monthly Contributions/Investable Income:

    The amount you can invest each month after covering expenses, directly impacting how fast you reach Coast FIRE. (income - expenses)

  • Withdrawal Rate (WR):

    The percentage of your invested portfolio that you withdraw annually in retirement to cover expenses.

  • Safe Withdrawal Rate (SWR):

    A commonly used safe rate is 4%, based on the Trinity Study, which suggests that withdrawing at this rate allows your portfolio to last indefinitely without being depleted.

  • Annual Return Assumption:

    The expected rate of return on investments, factoring in market growth and inflation to estimate future portfolio value.

  • Historical Annual Return:

    The S&P 500, a widely used benchmark for the stock market, has historically provided an average annual return of ~7% after inflation, making it a common assumption for long-term investment growth projections.

Coast FIRE vs. Traditional FIRE: What Makes It Different?

  • You can save less or stop saving entirely and let compounding do the work.

  • You can work less, switch to a lower-stress job, or start a business without worrying about your retirement fund.

  • You maintain financial security while having the freedom to adjust your work-life balance.

Coast FIRE offers a flexible path to financial independence, allowing you to build wealth steadily without relying on extreme frugality or a high income. It provides an alternative for those who prefer a more gradual approach while staying committed to long-term financial goals.

Why Coast FIRE Appeals to So Many People?

  • More flexible than full FIRE:

    You can adjust savings or work effort month-to-month.

  • Security & peace of mind:

    Even if you take a break from aggressive saving, your investments keep growing.

  • Work becomes a choice, not a necessity:

    Whether you take a sabbatical, travel, or start a new venture, your Coast FIRE number keeps you on track.

  • A psychological milestone:

    Knowing that your investments will reach FIRE on their own makes the journey more motivating and sustainable.

Coast FIRE is about building a financial safety net early—so you can live life on your terms now, rather than waiting for full FIRE.