Calculator
FIRE calculator
The FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) movement centres on saving aggressively to reach 25× annual expenses invested. This calculator projects your timeline.
Updated July 2026
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FI target (25× spending)
$1,200,000
Years to FI
17.9 years
How it works
Years to FI ≈ ln(1 + FI_Target × r / (Contribution × 12)) / ln(1 + r) — solving compound growth for the retirement number
- FI target = 25 × your annual spending (based on the 4% rule).
- Projected balance compounds your current savings plus monthly contributions at your expected real return.
- Years to FI is when projected balance meets or exceeds target.
- Coast FIRE: the age at which existing savings alone, with no further contributions, reach the target by traditional retirement age.
Worked examples
- $40k spending, $200k saved, $2,000/month contribution, 7% real: about 14 years to FI.
- Same person saving $3,000/month: about 11 years.
- Cutting expenses from $40k to $32k (raising saving rate) cuts several more years off the timeline.
Frequently asked questions
What is FIRE?
A movement focused on saving 40–70% of income and investing in diversified index funds to reach 25× annual expenses invested — making paid work optional decades before traditional retirement.
Is FIRE realistic?
Full FIRE is hard on average incomes. Coast FIRE — investing enough early that you never need to add more — is much more achievable and delivers most of the optionality.
What return should I assume?
Use real returns (after inflation). US stocks have averaged about 7% real long-term; balanced portfolios 4–6%. Being conservative reduces the risk of over-planning.
Related
Educational information only. Not personalised financial advice. Consult a qualified professional for decisions specific to your situation.