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Coast FIRE calculator

Coast FIRE is the moment your invested savings are large enough to grow into a full retirement on their own — no further contributions needed. Enter your numbers to see if you're already coasting.

Your numbers
$
$
Your Coast FIRE number (needed invested today)
$299,809
You're at 40% of your Coast FIRE number.
$179,809 to go
Once you reach $299,809 invested, you could stop contributing and still grow to $1,500,000 by age 65.
Full FIRE number
$1,500,000
Grows to by 65
$600,383
All figures in today's dollars using a real return. This is an estimate for planning, not financial advice.
See your full path to financial independence
This calculator shows a single coast point. planbend models your whole journey — real accounts, contributions, market scenarios, and the drawdown years — free to start.

What Coast FIRE actually means

Coast FIRE is the point where you've saved enough that compound growth alone will carry you to a full retirement by your target age. You stop needing to save for retirement — though you still work to cover today's bills. It's a milestone many people hit decades before traditional retirement, and reaching it changes how much pressure you feel about every paycheck.

How the math works

Start with your full FIRE number: annual retirement spending divided by your safe withdrawal rate. At a 4% withdrawal rate, $60,000 of spending needs $1.5 million. Then discount that target back to today using your expected real return over the years until retirement. The result is your Coast FIRE number — the amount that, left untouched, compounds into your full FIRE number right on schedule.

Why we use real returns

This calculator uses a real return — your investment growth after inflation — so every number stays in today's dollars and is easy to sanity-check. A common range is 4% to 7% real for a diversified, stock-heavy portfolio. Use a lower number for a more conservative estimate.

planbend is a planning tool, not a financial advisor. Every figure here is an estimate based on the numbers you enter and a constant assumed return. Real markets vary year to year. For decisions about your own plan, the Resources page can help you find a licensed professional.

Common questions

What is Coast FIRE?
It's the point where your existing investments will grow into a full retirement by your target age with no further contributions. You still cover current expenses, but retirement saving is done.
How is the Coast FIRE number calculated?
Divide annual retirement spending by your safe withdrawal rate to get your full FIRE number, then discount it back to today using your expected real return and years to retirement.
What return should I use?
Most people use a 4% to 7% real (after-inflation) return for a diversified stock-heavy portfolio. Lower is more conservative. This tool uses real return so figures stay in today's dollars.
Is Coast FIRE the same as Barista FIRE?
Related but different. Coast FIRE means retirement savings are set and you only cover current expenses. Barista FIRE usually means part-time work, often for benefits, while investments coast.