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FIRE Calculator

Find your Financial Independence number, how many years until you reach it, and your monthly passive income at the target.

FIRE Number (Target Portfolio)
$0
Years to FIRE
—
Monthly Passive Income at Target
$0
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How the FIRE Calculator Works

Financial Independence means having enough invested that your portfolio's returns can cover your living expenses indefinitely — without needing to work. The calculation has two parts: finding your FIRE number, then finding how long it takes to get there.

Step 1: Your FIRE Number

FIRE Number = Annual Expenses ÷ Safe Withdrawal Rate

If you spend $70,000/year and use a 4% SWR: $70,000 ÷ 0.04 = $1,750,000. That is your target.

Step 2: Years to FIRE

Each year: Balance = Balance × (1 + return) + Annual Savings. We count years until Balance ≥ FIRE Number.

The 4% Rule

The 4% rule comes from the Trinity Study — based on historical US market returns, a 4% annual withdrawal (inflation-adjusted) has historically lasted 30+ years for a balanced portfolio. For longer retirements (40–50 years), many practitioners use 3–3.5% to be safer.

FIRE Variants

  • LeanFIRE: Retire on minimal expenses (often $40,000–$50,000/year). Requires a smaller portfolio but less lifestyle flexibility.
  • FatFIRE: Retire with a generous lifestyle ($100,000+/year). Requires a larger number but more freedom.
  • BaristaFIRE: Partially retire — earn a small amount from part-time work to reduce the portfolio drawdown.
  • CoastFIRE: Save enough early that compound growth alone will reach your FIRE number by retirement age — then stop saving and let it ride.
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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the FIRE number?
Your FIRE number is the total investment portfolio you need to be financially independent. It is calculated as your annual expenses divided by your safe withdrawal rate. With a 4% SWR and $80,000 annual expenses, your FIRE number is $2,000,000.
What is the 4% rule?
The 4% rule states that you can withdraw 4% of your portfolio in year one, then adjust for inflation each year, and your portfolio should last at least 30 years. A 3–3.5% SWR is more conservative for very long retirements of 40–50 years.
What does FIRE stand for?
FIRE stands for Financial Independence, Retire Early. The movement focuses on aggressively saving and investing — typically 50–70% of income — to accumulate enough wealth to live off investment returns without needing employment income.
How long does it take to reach FIRE?
It depends primarily on your savings rate. Saving 10% of income takes roughly 40+ years. Saving 50% takes around 17 years. Saving 70% can achieve FIRE in about 8–10 years. The higher your savings rate, the faster you accumulate.
Is the 4% rule safe for Australians?
The 4% rule was based on US market data. Australian research suggests similar withdrawal rates apply. For a 40+ year retirement, many Australian FIRE practitioners use 3–3.5% to be conservative. Super access from age 60 can also supplement withdrawals from personal investments.
Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates for illustrative purposes only. Investment returns are not guaranteed. Safe withdrawal rates are based on historical data and may not reflect future conditions. This is not financial advice.

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