🌴 Coast FIRE Calculator
Visualize your path to Financial Independence with this interactive calculator.
Your Details
* In today's value
You are Coast FIRE Ready!
Your $100,000 will grow to cover your retirement spending without contributing another penny.
Real-Life Scenarios: What Does Coast FIRE Look Like?
The "Front-Loader"
The Goal: Maya lives frugally and saved $150,000 early. She wants to retire at 60 with $60k/year.
The Math: At 7% return, her $150k grows to over $1.6 Million by age 60 without adding a penny.
Outcome: She hits Coast FIRE immediately and switches to a lower-paying non-profit job she loves.
The "Mid-Career Pivot"
The Goal: James is burned out. He has $500k in his 401(k) and wants to retire at 65.
The Math: At 7%, his $500k compounds to nearly $2.7 Million by age 65.
Outcome: James is Coast FIRE ready. He quits corporate life to start a woodworking business.
The "Catch-Up"
The Goal: Sarah has $50k saved. She wants to retire at 65 spending $50k/year.
The Math: Her $50k only grows to ~$380k. She needs ~$1.25M to retire safely.
Outcome: Not Ready. She needs to reach a "Coast Number" of ~$165k before coasting.
Educational Deep Dive
Why is this tool useful?
Knowing your "Coast FIRE" number changes everything. It removes the anxiety of "saving until you drop." Once you hit your number, every dollar you earn can be spent on enjoying life today—travel, hobbies, or working part-time—because your retirement is already secured by compound interest.
Coast FIRE vs. Traditional FIRE
| Feature | Coast FIRE 🌴 | Traditional FIRE 🔥 |
|---|---|---|
| Goal | Stop saving for retirement | Stop working entirely |
| Work | Continue (but with freedom) | Retire Early (30s/40s) |
| Savings Rate | Lower (Spend more now) | Extreme (50%+) |
Who is this calculator for?
- The Burned-Out Professional: Someone who wants to downshift to a lower-stress job without sacrificing retirement security.
- The Young Saver: People in their 20s/30s who want to front-load savings now to enjoy more freedom later.
- The Entrepreneur: Anyone taking a risk on a business who wants to know their "safety net" is already funded.
The Math Behind the Magic
It's simple compound interest, but supercharged. By keeping your money invested for 30+ years without touching it, it doubles roughly every 10 years (at 7%). That means $100k becomes $200k, then $400k, then $800k—all while you are busy living your life, not saving another dime.
What is the "Coast" in Coast FIRE?
"Coasting" means letting the momentum of your existing investments carry you to the finish line. It's like pedaling a bike hard up a hill (your early 20s/30s) so you can simply glide down the other side (your 40s/50s) without pedaling.
The Rule of 25 & 4% Rule
Generally, you need 25 times your annual expenses invested to retire. If you spend $40,000 a year, you need $1 Million ($40k x 25).
Inflation: The Silent Killer
$1 Million in 2050 won't buy a yacht; it might just buy a Honda Civic. Our calculator adjusts your target number upwards so you see the real purchasing power required.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Can I touch the money while Coasting?
No, the math relies on the money staying invested and compounding until retirement age.
What interest rate should I use?
We suggest 7-8% for aggressive stock portfolios (S&P 500 historical average is ~10%, minus inflation), or 5-6% for a conservative mix.
Does this include Social Security?
No, this calculator assumes you fund retirement entirely yourself. Social Security would be a bonus on top.