Coast FIRE Calculator
Find out if you've already saved enough to "coast" to retirement without saving another dollar.
What is Coast FIRE?
Coast FIRE is a milestone in the Financial Independence, Retire Early (FIRE) movement where you've saved enough in retirement accounts that, left completely untouched to grow through compound returns, it will reach your full retirement number by your target retirement age — without you contributing another dollar. Once you hit Coast FIRE, you can "coast," meaning you only need to earn enough to cover your current living expenses, since your retirement savings are already on track to grow into a full nest egg on their own.
How is the Coast FIRE number calculated?
First, this calculator figures out your target retirement portfolio using the 4% Rule (desired annual spending times 25). Then it works backward using compound interest math to find how much money you'd need right now to grow — with zero additional contributions — into that target by your retirement age, given your expected annual return. That "needed today" figure is your Coast FIRE number.
Why does reaching Coast FIRE matter?
Reaching Coast FIRE is often a major psychological and practical turning point: it means the pressure to keep aggressively saving for retirement eases up, and career decisions can shift toward work you enjoy, lower stress, part-time hours, or a lower-paying but more fulfilling job, since your retirement is already funded by compounding alone. Many people confirm Coast FIRE status well before they reach full financial independence, which is one reason it's such a popular milestone to track in the FIRE community.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "Coast FIRE" actually mean?
It means you've saved enough for retirement that, left alone to grow through compound returns with no further contributions, it will reach your full retirement number by your target age. You can then "coast" — working only enough to cover current expenses rather than also saving for retirement.
How is my Coast FIRE number calculated?
It's your target retirement portfolio (desired annual spending times 25, based on the 4% Rule) discounted backward using compound interest math over the years remaining until your target retirement age, at your expected annual return.
What happens once I reach Coast FIRE?
You no longer need to contribute more to your retirement accounts for them to reach your target by your retirement age, assuming your expected return holds up. Many people then shift to jobs with better work-life balance, lower stress, or more meaning, since the pressure to save aggressively eases.
Do I still need to work after reaching Coast FIRE?
Yes — Coast FIRE only covers your future retirement savings goal, not your current living expenses. You still need income to cover today's costs; you just no longer need that income to also fund additional retirement contributions.
What's the difference between Coast FIRE and Barista FIRE?
Coast FIRE is about your retirement savings already being on track to grow into your full number without more contributions. Barista FIRE is about having a portfolio that covers most (but not all) of your current spending via safe withdrawals, with part-time work filling the remaining income gap right now.
What if my current savings are below my Coast FIRE number?
That simply means you haven't reached Coast FIRE yet — you'll need to keep contributing until your balance catches up to the calculated number, or adjust your retirement age, expected return, or spending target.
Does this account for inflation?
Not explicitly — the expected annual return you enter is generally treated as a nominal (or sometimes real, inflation-adjusted) rate depending on your assumption. For a more conservative estimate, consider entering an inflation-adjusted "real" return rate, such as 5-7% instead of a higher nominal figure.
Is Coast FIRE a guaranteed outcome?
No — it relies on your expected annual return actually materializing over many years, which is never guaranteed with investments. Market downturns, sequence-of-returns risk, or lower-than-expected long-term returns could mean you need to contribute again to stay on track.