Coast FIRE Calculator
Find your Coast FIRE number — the amount invested today that grows to your retirement target with no further contributions.
How it works
Coast FIRE number = target nest egg ÷ (1 + return)^years-to-retirement · Projected value = current invested × (1 + return)^years-to-retirement
Coast FIRE is the point where your existing investments, left completely alone, will compound to your retirement target by the time you retire — so you no longer need to save for retirement, only cover current expenses. The coast number is your target discounted back to today at your expected return; once your balance clears it, ongoing contributions become optional. It is a powerful milestone because it arrives long before full financial independence and frees you to take a lower-paying job, cut hours, or redirect savings elsewhere.
Worked example
A 30-year-old aiming for a $1,500,000 nest egg at 60, assuming a 7% return, needs $1,500,000 ÷ 1.07^30 ≈ $197,050 invested today. With $100,000 currently invested — projected to grow to about $761,226 — they have not yet hit Coast FIRE and should keep contributing until the balance reaches roughly $197,050.
Frequently asked questions
How is Coast FIRE different from regular FIRE?
Regular FIRE means you have enough to stop working entirely. Coast FIRE means you have enough invested that it will grow into your retirement number on its own — you still work to cover today’s expenses, but you no longer need to save for retirement.
What return should I assume?
Because Coast FIRE depends heavily on decades of compounding, the assumed return drives the result. A common choice is 5–7% real (after inflation); a lower, more conservative rate raises the coast number and gives a safety margin.
Once I hit Coast FIRE, should I really stop investing?
You can, but continuing to invest builds a buffer against lower-than-expected returns and can pull your retirement date earlier. Coast FIRE is a floor of security, not a command to stop — many people keep contributing at a reduced pace.
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Educational estimate only, not financial or tax advice. Retirement, contribution and tax rules change and depend on your personal situation — confirm with a licensed financial or tax professional.