Coast FIRE Calculator
Find your Coast Number and discover how much you need to invest today to reach financial independence
Your Information
Enter your financial details to calculate your Coast FIRE number
Advanced Settings
Tip: Adjust the sliders to see how your Coast FIRE number changes in real-time. Open Advanced Settings to customize return rates and inflation.
Couples Mode
Enable to calculate Coast FIRE as a couple
Your Coast FIRE Number
Keep saving to reach Coast FIRE
Coast Number
$172,716
Invest this amount today, and you're set for retirement
FIRE Number
$1,250,000
Total needed to retire today
Start investing to track your progress
Key Metrics
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Coast FIRE by Age
Reference table showing how much you need invested at different ages to reach Coast FIRE (assuming $50k annual spending, 65 retirement, 7% real return)
| Age | Years to Retirement | Coast Number | Monthly Investment |
|---|---|---|---|
25 | 40 years | $83,475 | $174 |
30 | 35 years | $117,079 | $279 |
35 You | 30 years | $164,209 | $456 |
40 | 25 years | $230,311 | $768 |
45 | 20 years | $323,024 | $1,346 |
50 | 15 years | $453,058 | $2,517 |
55 | 10 years | $635,437 | $5,295 |
60 | 5 years | $891,233 | $14,854 |
How to use this table: Find your current age to see how much you need to invest today to reach Coast FIRE. The "Monthly Investment" column shows how much you need to save each month from now until retirement to reach your Coast Number.
Note: This table assumes a 7% real investment return (after inflation) and 4% safe withdrawal rate. Your actual numbers may vary based on market conditions and your personal circumstances.
Your Age (35): You're in the prime building years. Keep saving and investing!
What is Coast FIRE?
Coast FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) is a milestone on your journey to financial freedom. It's the point where you've invested enough money that, even if you stop contributing new savings, your existing investments will grow to support your retirement by your target retirement age.
Unlike traditional FIRE, which requires you to have your full FIRE Number saved, Coast FIRE gives you the flexibility to "coast" - you can reduce your savings rate, change careers, or pursue other passions without worrying about your retirement.
How is Coast FIRE Calculated?
The Coast FIRE calculation uses the following formula:
- FIRE Number = Annual Spending / Safe Withdrawal Rate (typically 4%)
- Real Return Rate = Investment Return - Inflation - Investment Fees
- Coast Number = FIRE Number / (1 + Real Return Rate) ^ Years to Retirement
Why is Coast FIRE Important?
Coast FIRE provides financial flexibility and peace of mind. Once you reach your Coast Number, you know that you're on track to retire comfortably, even if you never save another dollar. This can help you:
- Reduce work hours or switch to a lower-stress job
- Pursue passions or start a business without financial risk
- Spend more time with family or on hobbies
- Enjoy life today while securing your future
Next Steps
Use the calculator above to find your Coast FIRE number, then explore the chart to see how your investments will grow over time. The "Coast FIRE by Age" table shows reference numbers for different ages, helping you understand if you're on track.
What is Coast FIRE?
Coast FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) is a milestone on your journey to financial freedom. It's the point where you've invested enough money that, even if you stop contributing new savings, your existing investments will grow to support your retirement by your target retirement age.
Unlike traditional FIRE, which requires you to have your full FIRE Number saved, Coast FIRE gives you the flexibility to "coast" - you can reduce your savings rate, change careers, or pursue other passions without worrying about your retirement.
How is Coast FIRE Different?
- Traditional FIRE: You need your full FIRE Number (typically 25x your annual expenses) to retire.
- Coast FIRE: You only need enough invested today that it will grow to your FIRE Number by retirement.
Example
If you plan to retire at 65 with $50,000/year in expenses, your FIRE Number is $1,250,000 (using the 4% rule). If you're 35 today, you only need around $172,000 invested to reach Coast FIRE - assuming a 6.82% real return over 30 years.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Coast FIRE and traditional FIRE?â–¼
Traditional FIRE means you have enough saved to retire today (typically 25x your annual expenses). Coast FIRE means you have enough invested that you can stop saving and still reach your FIRE Number by retirement age through compound growth.
How accurate is the Coast FIRE calculator?â–¼
The calculator uses historical market data and reasonable assumptions about investment returns and inflation. However, actual results may vary based on market conditions, your investment choices, and changes in your circumstances.
What investment return should I use?â–¼
A 10% nominal return (about 7% real return after inflation) is commonly used based on historical S&P 500 returns. You may want to use a more conservative 7-8% if you prefer caution.
What is the safe withdrawal rate (SWR)?â–¼
The 4% rule is the most common SWR, based on the Trinity Study. It suggests you can safely withdraw 4% of your portfolio annually in retirement without running out of money. Some prefer 3.5% for extra safety.
Can I calculate Coast FIRE for couples?â–¼
Yes! Toggle the "Couples Mode" to include your spouse's assets and age in the calculation. This helps couples plan their Coast FIRE number together.
What happens if I reach Coast FIRE?â–¼
Once you reach Coast FIRE, you have the freedom to reduce your savings rate, change careers to something more fulfilling (even if it pays less), or take time off work. Your existing investments will grow to support your retirement.
How often should I recalculate my Coast FIRE number?â–¼
It's a good idea to recalculate annually or when your circumstances change significantly (salary change, major expense changes, etc.). This helps you stay on track toward your financial goals.
Is Coast FIRE right for me?â–¼
Coast FIRE is ideal if you want financial flexibility before full retirement. It's perfect for those who want to pursue other passions, change careers, or reduce work hours without jeopardizing their retirement security.
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