Klyrify guide
Coast FIRE Number by Age: 2026 Complete Guide
Your Coast FIRE number depends entirely on your current age. The younger you are, the smaller the required amount — compound growth has more time to work. Here are complete tables for every age and scenario.
What Is Coast FIRE?
Coast FIRE is the invested portfolio amount needed so that — without contributing another dollar — compound growth alone carries you to your full retirement number by your target retirement age.
Formula: Coast FIRE number ≈ Full FIRE Number ÷ (1 + annual return) ^ years to retirement
This mirrors the Coast FIRE calculator: a single annual return is compounded once per year (not monthly), and the projection assumes no further contributions during the coast period. Every number below is an estimate based on the stated assumptions, not a guaranteed outcome — actual returns will vary.
Once you reach your Coast FIRE number, you only need income to cover current living expenses. Retirement saving is complete.
Coast FIRE Numbers: Retiring at 65, $60k/yr Expenses, 7% Return
Full FIRE target: $1,500,000
| Current Age | Years to 65 | Coast FIRE Number |
|---|---|---|
| 22 | 43 years | $81,800 |
| 25 | 40 years | $100,200 |
| 28 | 37 years | $122,700 |
| 30 | 35 years | $140,500 |
| 32 | 33 years | $160,900 |
| 35 | 30 years | $197,100 |
| 38 | 27 years | $241,400 |
| 40 | 25 years | $276,400 |
| 42 | 23 years | $316,400 |
| 45 | 20 years | $387,600 |
| 48 | 17 years | $474,900 |
| 50 | 15 years | $543,700 |
Coast FIRE Numbers: Retiring at 60
| Current Age | Years to 60 | Coast FIRE Number |
|---|---|---|
| 25 | 35 years | $140,500 |
| 30 | 30 years | $197,100 |
| 35 | 25 years | $276,400 |
| 40 | 20 years | $387,600 |
| 45 | 15 years | $543,700 |
How Return Rate Changes Your Coast FIRE Number
For a 35-year-old, $1,500,000 FIRE target, retiring at 65:
| Expected Return | Coast FIRE Number |
|---|---|
| 5% | $347,100 |
| 6% | $261,200 |
| 7% | $197,100 |
| 8% | $149,100 |
A 1% difference in return assumptions changes the required amount by roughly $48,000-86,000. Use 6% for conservative planning.
Coast FIRE for Different Spending Levels
At age 30, targeting retirement at 65 with 7% return:
| Annual Expenses | FIRE Number | Coast FIRE at 30 |
|---|---|---|
| $30,000 | $750,000 | $70,200 |
| $50,000 | $1,250,000 | $117,100 |
| $60,000 | $1,500,000 | $140,500 |
| $80,000 | $2,000,000 | $187,300 |
| $100,000 | $2,500,000 | $234,200 |
Why Starting Early Is So Powerful
At 22, your estimated Coast FIRE number is $81,800. At 35, the same retirement outcome requires $197,100 — about 2.4x more. Every year of delay increases the required amount by approximately 7%, since one fewer year of compounding means dividing by (1 + annual return) one fewer time.
If you are in your 20s, even modest monthly investments now can reach Coast FIRE in 3-7 years, permanently securing retirement without ever saving another dollar after that milestone.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I want to retire earlier than 65? Use the Coast FIRE calculator with your specific retirement age. Earlier retirement means less compounding time and a higher required Coast FIRE number.
Does a pension reduce my Coast FIRE number? Yes — subtract annual pension income from retirement expenses before calculating the FIRE number, then calculate Coast FIRE on the lower number.
Should I count my 401k toward Coast FIRE? Yes — all investable assets count: 401k, IRA, Roth IRA, brokerage accounts. The number is a total portfolio target regardless of account type.