Coast FIRE Calculator
FIRE Number
Coast FIRE Number
Projected Retirement Portfolio
Annual Retirement Income
What is Coast FIRE?
Coast FIRE (Financial Independence Retire Early) is a financial strategy where you save enough money early in life that, without any additional contributions, your investments will grow to support your retirement at a traditional retirement age. Unlike traditional FIRE which aims for early retirement, Coast FIRE allows you to "coast" to retirement by only covering your current living expenses while your existing investments compound over time.
The concept is based on the power of compound interest. By front-loading your retirement savings, you give your investments more time to grow, potentially allowing you to reduce or eliminate the need for ongoing retirement contributions later in life. This creates flexibility to pursue lower-paying but more fulfilling work, reduce your working hours, or allocate more of your income to current expenses and experiences.
Coast FIRE can be particularly appealing for those who want financial security without the extreme saving often associated with traditional FIRE movements. It offers a middle path that balances future security with present enjoyment.
How to Use the Coast FIRE Calculator
Step 1: Enter Your Personal Information
Begin by entering your current age, target retirement age, and expected annual spending in retirement. These fundamental inputs help establish your retirement timeline and financial needs.
Step 2: Input Your Financial Details
Enter your current invested assets (retirement accounts, investment portfolios) and monthly contribution amount. Be sure to include only invested assets that will be used for retirement, not emergency funds or home equity.
Step 3: Adjust the Financial Assumptions
Use the sliders to set your expected investment growth rate, inflation rate, safe withdrawal rate, and investment fees. These rates significantly impact your calculations, so consider using historical averages or consulting with a financial advisor for guidance.
Step 4: Review Your Results
After clicking "Calculate Coast FIRE," examine your results including your FIRE number, Coast FIRE number, and years to Coast FIRE. The chart visualizes your projected net worth growth compared to your Coast FIRE threshold over time.
Step 5: Experiment with Different Scenarios
Try adjusting various inputs to see how changes affect your Coast FIRE timeline. Increasing your monthly contributions, adjusting your retirement age, or modifying your expected spending can dramatically change your results and help you develop a more personalized financial strategy.