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Coast FIRE Calculator

Find the savings amount where compound growth alone will reach your retirement goal — no more contributions needed

Your Profile
Retirement Goal
FIRE number = spending ÷ rate. 4% is standard.
Growth Assumptions
Used to project how long until you reach Coast FIRE
Enter your details and click Calculate Coast FIRE

Understanding Coast FIRE

What is Coast FIRE?

Coast FIRE is when you've saved enough that — if you never contribute another dollar — compound growth alone will carry your portfolio to your full FIRE number by retirement. You're "coasting" to retirement.

Coast vs Full FIRE

Full FIRE = you can retire NOW. Coast FIRE = you can stop contributing NOW but still need to work to cover living expenses. Many people hit Coast FIRE in their 30s-40s and switch to lower-stress, more fulfilling work.

Why It's Liberating

Once you hit Coast FIRE, the pressure to save aggressively is gone. You can take a lower-paying job you love, work part-time, start a business, or travel — knowing retirement is already funded by compound growth.

The Math

Coast FIRE Number = FIRE Number ÷ (1 + r)^years. Example: FIRE number $1.5M in 30 years at 7% return = $1,500,000 ÷ 7.6 = $197,000. Hit $197K at 35, retire at 65 without adding another cent.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is my Coast FIRE number?
Your Coast FIRE number is the amount you need invested today so that compound growth alone reaches your FIRE number by retirement. It's calculated as: FIRE Number ÷ (1 + annual return)^years until retirement. The earlier you start, the lower your Coast FIRE number because compound growth has more time to work.
Can I really stop contributing after reaching Coast FIRE?
Mathematically yes — your money will grow to your FIRE target without additional contributions. However, most people continue contributing at a reduced rate as insurance against bad market conditions. Also, you still need to earn enough to cover current living expenses. Coast FIRE removes the pressure to save aggressively, not the need to work.
How much do I need to reach Coast FIRE?
It depends on your target retirement date and expected returns. At 7% annual returns: if you want to retire at 65 with $1.5M, and you're currently 35 (30 years away), you need about $197K now. If you're 40 (25 years away), you'd need about $278K. Starting earlier dramatically reduces the Coast FIRE number you need to hit.