Find out exactly how much you need invested today so your money coasts to retirement all by itself — zero future contributions needed. You might already be there.
💡 What is Coast FIRE?
Coast FIRE = the amount you need invested right now so that compound growth alone — no new contributions — takes you to full retirement by your target age. Once you hit it, your only job is covering today's bills. Your future is already funded. 🌊
Your timeline
Your money
Assumptions
7%
3%
4%
🌊
Enter your numbers to see your Coast FIRE number...
The gap between these two ages is how long your money has to compound on its own. More years = lower Coast FIRE number needed today.
2
Enter your current invested assets
Include all invested accounts — 401k, IRA, Roth, brokerage. Not your emergency fund or home equity.
3
Enter annual retirement spending
Your annual spending in retirement determines your full FIRE number (spending ÷ SWR). Coast FIRE is a fraction of this, front-loaded by time.
4
Enter monthly contribution
What you invest each month now, while working toward your Coast number. Once you hit Coast FIRE, this becomes optional.
5
Adjust assumptions and calculate
The real return (nominal minus inflation) drives the Coast FIRE math. Default settings are conservative and widely used in the FIRE community.
Example Scenarios
Scenario 1 — Already Coasted
32 years old, $85,000 invested, retiring at 60
With 28 years of compounding at a 4% real return, $85,000 grows to over $240,000 — well past a $1.2M FIRE number? Not quite. But with $85k and a 65 retirement age (33 years), many people discover they've already coasted. The calculator will tell you instantly.
🌊 Already coasted? Run your numbers to find out
Scenario 2 — The Young Investor
25 years old, $8,000 invested, $600/mo, retiring at 65
With 40 years to grow, a Coast FIRE number at 25 is surprisingly small — roughly $120-140k depending on your spending target. At $600/mo, you could reach it in just 10-12 years, by your mid-30s. Then you're free to coast, cut back, or switch careers.
🌊 Coast FIRE at: ~age 36 | Then autopilot to retirement
Scenario 3 — The Mid-Career Check
40 years old, $150,000 invested, retiring at 65
At 40 with $150k, targeting $40k/year in retirement — Coast FIRE number is about $390,000. You're $240k short. But at $1,500/mo you get there in roughly 9 years. Coast FIRE at 49. Then switch to part-time, creative work, or just keep investing aggressively and hit full FIRE early.
🌊 Coast FIRE at: ~age 49 | Full FIRE later on autopilot
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Coast FIRE? ▾
Coast FIRE is the point where your current investments will grow to your full FIRE number by retirement age — with zero additional contributions. You've already done the heavy lifting. You just need to cover your current living expenses until then.
What do I do after I hit Coast FIRE? ▾
Stop contributing to retirement accounts if you want — your future is funded. Many people use Coast FIRE as the trigger to switch to lower-paying but more fulfilling work, go part-time, start a creative project, or spend more time with family. You still need income to cover current expenses, but the pressure of "saving for retirement" is off.
Why does the calculator use a real return rate? ▾
Coast FIRE math uses the real (inflation-adjusted) return because you're projecting far into the future. Without adjusting for inflation, you'd overestimate your future purchasing power. A 7% nominal return with 3% inflation = ~4% real return. That's what actually matters for long-term planning.
Can I already have hit Coast FIRE? ▾
Yes — and it happens more often than people think. If you're in your 30s or 40s with meaningful investments and a relatively normal retirement age, run the numbers. Many people discover they are already coasted and don't know it. The calculator checks this instantly.
What is the difference between Coast FIRE and Barista FIRE? ▾
Coast FIRE is about reaching a portfolio number where you can stop contributing. Barista FIRE is about leaving your main career early and doing part-time work to cover expenses while your smaller portfolio grows to full FIRE. Barista FIRE requires a lower initial portfolio but involves part-time work. Coast FIRE requires a higher portfolio but then is truly passive.