Coast FIRE Calculator: When Can You Stop Saving?
Coast FIRE means you have already saved enough that, even if you never add another dollar, your investments could grow to your retirement target on their own. This Coast FIRE calculator shows how much you need today and whether you are already there.
Quick answer
Your Coast FIRE number = retirement target ÷ (1 + return)^(years to retirement). To reach $1,000,000 at 65 with a 7% return, you need about $93,663 invested at 30, or $184,249 at 40, with no new contributions.
What is Coast FIRE?
Traditional FIRE means saving enough to stop working. Coast FIRE is an earlier milestone: you stop needing to save for retirement, but you still work to pay your current bills. Many people use it to switch to a lower-stress job, work part-time or take a career break, knowing their retirement is on track.
Coast FIRE number = target ÷ (1 + r)^years
Coast FIRE calculator results by age
| Your age today | Years to 65 | Needed today for $1M at 65 (7%) |
|---|---|---|
| 25 | 40 | $66,780 |
| 30 | 35 | $93,663 |
| 35 | 30 | $131,367 |
| 40 | 25 | $184,249 |
| 45 | 20 | $258,419 |
What changes once you reach Coast FIRE
- You can stop or reduce retirement contributions, as long as you leave the money invested.
- Your job only needs to cover today’s spending.
- You still need an emergency fund and insurance.
- Recheck every year: a weak market or higher spending goals can move the target.
What the Coast FIRE calculator means for you
- Early savings are extremely powerful: $66,780 at 25 can grow to $1 million by 65 at 7%.
- Use a conservative return; a lower rate means a higher Coast FIRE number.
- Coast FIRE is a milestone, not a finish line: keep investing if you can.
Frequently asked questions
What does Coast FIRE mean?
Having enough invested that it could grow to your retirement target with no further contributions.
How do I calculate my Coast FIRE number?
Divide your retirement target by (1 + expected return) raised to the number of years until retirement.
What return should I assume?
Many people use 5% to 7% for a stock-heavy portfolio. A lower rate gives a safer, higher target.
Does inflation matter for Coast FIRE?
Yes. If your target is in today’s dollars, use a real (inflation-adjusted) return instead.
Is Coast FIRE the same as FIRE?
No. FIRE means you can stop working entirely; Coast FIRE means you can stop saving for retirement but still cover today’s costs with work.
Related guides and calculators
- FIRE number calculator
- The 4% rule explained
- What is an inflation-adjusted return?
- Retirement savings calculator
Sources
- Investor.gov (U.S. SEC): Compound interest calculator
- IRS: Retirement plans
- MonetaryReports: How we calculate
This guide is for educational purposes only and is not financial advice. The figures are estimates before taxes, fees and inflation, and real rates, returns and rules change over time.
