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Financial Independence Calculator

FIRE Calculator

Calculate your path to Financial Independence and Retire Early. Find your FIRE number, timeline, and explore scenarios to reach freedom faster.

Personal Information

Income & Expenses

Monthly: $6,667

Monthly: $4,167

Annual Savings$30,000
Savings Rate37.5%

Current Savings/Investments

Include 401(k), IRA, brokerage accounts, etc.

Investment Assumptions

Conservative (4%)Aggressive (10%)
Conservative (3%)Standard (4%)Aggressive (5%)

Social Security (Optional)

Leave at 0 to exclude from calculations

Your FIRE Number

$1.25M

This is the amount you need invested to live off 4% annual withdrawals

Progress to FIRE12.0%
12%
$150k saved$1.10M to go

16 Years to FIRE

You'll reach FIRE at age 51

16
Years
51
FIRE Age
2042
Target Year

Savings Analysis

Current Monthly Savings$2,500
Needed for 10-Year FIRE$5,760
Current Savings Rate37.5%

What-If Scenarios

Cut Expenses by 10%
Reduce spending to $45,000/year
Age 49
2 years sooner
FIRE Number: $1.13M14 years
Save Extra $500/month
Increase savings to $36,000/year
Age 50
1 years sooner
FIRE Number: $1.25M15 years
Part-time Work in Retirement
$1,000/mo part-time income reduces FIRE number
Age 48
3 years sooner
FIRE Number: $950k13 years

Protect Your FIRE Number from Market Crashes

Sequence of Returns Risk

A market crash in your first years of FIRE can devastate your plan. Gold often rises when stocks fall, providing crucial protection.

30+ Year Horizon

Early retirement means your portfolio must last decades. Gold has preserved wealth through every economic crisis in history.

True Diversification

Most FIRE portfolios are 100% paper assets. Physical gold in an IRA adds real diversification beyond stocks and bonds.

RECOMMENDED

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Learn More

Understanding FIRE

What is FIRE?

FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) is a lifestyle movement dedicated to extreme savings and investment. The goal is to accumulate assets until the returns from your investments can cover your living expenses indefinitely, allowing you to retire decades before the traditional age of 65.

The core principle is simple: save aggressively (typically 50-70% of income), invest in low-cost index funds, and live below your means. Once your invested assets reach 25 times your annual expenses (your "FIRE number"), you can safely withdraw 4% annually without depleting your principal.

The FIRE Number Formula

FIRE Number = Annual Expenses / Safe Withdrawal Rate

With a standard 4% withdrawal rate, this simplifies to:

FIRE Number = Annual Expenses x 25

For example, if you spend $50,000 per year, your FIRE number is $1,250,000. Once you reach this amount, you can withdraw $50,000 annually (4% of $1.25M) to cover your expenses.

Types of FIRE

  • Traditional FIRE: Standard approach targeting 25x expenses for moderate lifestyle
  • Lean FIRE: Minimalist lifestyle with annual expenses under $40,000
  • Fat FIRE: Luxury retirement with $100,000+ annual spending
  • Coast FIRE: Save enough early, then coast without additional contributions
  • Barista FIRE: Semi-retirement with part-time work for healthcare benefits

Frequently Asked Questions

What is FIRE?

FIRE stands for Financial Independence, Retire Early. It's a lifestyle movement focused on extreme savings and investment to achieve financial freedom earlier than traditional retirement age. The goal is to accumulate enough assets to live off investment returns indefinitely.

How is the FIRE number calculated?

Your FIRE number is calculated by dividing your annual expenses by your safe withdrawal rate (typically 4%). For example, if you spend $50,000 per year and use a 4% withdrawal rate, your FIRE number is $1,250,000 ($50,000 / 0.04).

What is a safe withdrawal rate?

A safe withdrawal rate (SWR) is the percentage of your portfolio you can withdraw annually without running out of money. The most common SWR is 4%, based on the Trinity Study, which found this rate historically sustained portfolios for 30+ years.

How does Social Security affect my FIRE plan?

Social Security can reduce your FIRE number because it provides guaranteed income starting at age 62-70. You can factor in expected Social Security benefits to lower the amount you need to save, though early retirees should plan for years before SS kicks in.

What is the difference between FIRE, Lean FIRE, and Fat FIRE?

Lean FIRE targets minimal expenses (typically under $40,000/year), standard FIRE targets moderate expenses ($40,000-$100,000/year), and Fat FIRE targets higher spending ($100,000+/year) for a more luxurious retirement lifestyle.

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Protect Your FIRE Portfolio

Gold can provide stability during market downturns and help protect your path to financial independence.

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