🔥 FIRE Calculator

Calculate exactly how much you need to retire early and achieve financial independence. Free, instant results with visual projections.

Calculator Assumptions & Methodology

Returns

8.0%

Expected annual return

Withdrawal

4.0%

Safe withdrawal rate

Inflation

3.0%

Annual inflation rate

FIRE Calculator

Your Information

Your age today

When you want to retire

$

Total gross income per month

$

Total expenses per month

$

Total invested savings

Investment Assumptions

%

Annual return before inflation

%

Expected annual inflation

%

Safe withdrawal rate in retirement

%

Percentage in stocks vs bonds

Income Adjustments

%

Annual salary increase

$

Monthly side income

$

Inheritance, bonus, etc.

Retirement Adjustments

$

Leave blank to use current expenses

Simulate 1,000 market scenarios for probability analysis

Real FIRE Success Stories & Examples

Detailed case studies showing different paths to financial independence. Each example includes strategies, timelines, and actionable insights.

Fastest FIRE

10 years

Emma & David

Highest Savings Rate

57.1%

David & Emma

Latest Starter

Age 45

Patricia

With Kids

Age 47

The Johnsons

Create Your Own FIRE Story

These examples show that FIRE is achievable for people in different life situations. Whether you're 23 or 45, single or married, earning $42K or $280K - there's a path to financial independence for you.

Read Complete FIRE GuideCompare FIRE Strategies

Understanding FIRE: Financial Independence, Retire Early

FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) is a movement focused on extreme savings and investment that allows you to retire far earlier than traditional budgets and retirement plans would permit.

How the FIRE Calculator Works

Our calculator uses the widely-accepted 4% withdrawal rule to determine your FIRE number. This rule suggests you can safely withdraw 4% of your portfolio each year without depleting your savings over a 30-year retirement period.

Key FIRE Concepts

The 4% Rule

Based on the Trinity Study, this rule suggests that you can withdraw 4% of your retirement portfolio annually (adjusted for inflation) with a high probability of not running out of money over 30 years.

Coast FIRE

Coast FIRE means you have enough money saved that you don't need to save another penny and can still retire at traditional retirement age. Our calculator shows when you'll reach this milestone.

Monte Carlo Simulation

Our Monte Carlo simulation runs 1,000 different scenarios with varying market returns to show the range of possible outcomes for your FIRE journey. This helps you understand the uncertainty inherent in long-term financial planning.

Tips for Achieving FIRE

  • Increase your savings rate: Even small increases can dramatically reduce your time to FIRE
  • Reduce expenses: Lower expenses mean a lower FIRE number and higher savings rate
  • Increase income: Side hustles, career advancement, or passive income all help
  • Invest wisely: Low-cost index funds are popular among FIRE adherents
  • Track your progress: Regular check-ins keep you motivated and on track

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I don't have any savings yet?

It's never too late to start! Even beginning with $0, consistent saving and investing can lead to financial independence. The key is to start as soon as possible.

Is 4% withdrawal rate too conservative?

Some argue for higher rates (5-6%), but 4% has historical backing and provides a buffer for market volatility. You can adjust this in our advanced options.

Should I include Social Security in my calculations?

It depends on your age and confidence in the system. Our calculator allows you to include Social Security as additional income starting at your chosen age.

Disclaimer: This calculator is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Market returns are not guaranteed, and past performance doesn't predict future results. Consult with a qualified financial professional before making investment decisions.

FIRE Calculator Collection

🌿

Lean FIRE

Minimal expenses for maximum freedom.

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⛵

Coast FIRE

Stop saving and let growth take over.

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☕

Barista FIRE

Part-time work with health benefits.

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👑

Fat FIRE

Luxury retirement with no constraints.

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💑

Couples FIRE

Joint planning for two incomes.

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What is FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early)?

FIRE stands for Financial Independence, Retire Early. It's a financial movement focused on extreme saving and investing that allows for retirement much earlier than traditional retirement planning.

The fundamental principle of FIRE is achieving financial independence, which means having enough assets to live on without relying on employment income. This is typically calculated using the 4% rule, where you need 25 times your annual expenses invested to safely withdraw 4% per year indefinitely.

FIRE practitioners typically save 50-70% of their income, compared to the traditional 10-15% savings rate. This extreme savings rate, combined with aggressive investing in low-cost index funds, allows people to retire in their 30s, 40s, or 50s instead of the traditional retirement age of 65.

The movement gained popularity through blogs like Mr. Money Mustache and has been supported by academic research including the Trinity Study, which demonstrated the sustainability of the 4% withdrawal rate over 30+ year retirement periods.

How to Calculate Your FIRE Number

Calculating your FIRE number involves several key components and formulas that have been established through decades of financial research.

The basic FIRE formula is: FIRE Number = Annual Expenses × 25

This multiplier of 25 comes from inverting the 4% safe withdrawal rate (1 ÷ 0.04 = 25). The 4% rule is based on the Trinity Study, which analyzed historical market data from 1926-1995 and found that a 4% withdrawal rate from a balanced portfolio (stocks and bonds) successfully funded retirement for 30+ years in 95% of historical scenarios.

To calculate years to FIRE, use the compound interest formula: Years = log(1 + (FIRE Goal - Current Savings) ÷ Annual Savings) ÷ log(1 + Return Rate)

Most FIRE calculations assume a 7% real (inflation-adjusted) return rate, based on historical S&P 500 performance. This accounts for the long-term average while being conservative by removing inflation effects.

Advanced FIRE calculations consider factors like: - Sequence of returns risk (poor early retirement market performance) - Healthcare costs and insurance premiums - Tax implications of different account types - Geographic arbitrage opportunities - Inflation adjustments over time