Coast FIRE Calculator
Coast FIRE is easiest to understand when you compare it with the FIRE calculator, Barista FIRE in Canada, and the compound interest calculator. If you want to translate the concept into a practical savings schedule, pair it with how much you should invest per month in Canada and how to build wealth in Canada.
Coast FIRE = The portfolio value where you can stop saving and compound growth alone will fund your retirement.
Coast FIRE Formula
Coast FIRE Number = FIRE Number ÷ (1 + growth rate)^years
Coast FIRE Numbers by Age
Assuming:
- Target retirement age: 65
- FIRE number: $1,500,000 (for $60,000/year expenses)
- 7% real growth rate
| Current Age | Years to 65 | Coast FIRE Number |
|---|---|---|
| 25 | 40 years | $100,000 |
| 30 | 35 years | $140,000 |
| 35 | 30 years | $197,000 |
| 40 | 25 years | $276,000 |
| 45 | 20 years | $388,000 |
| 50 | 15 years | $544,000 |
| 55 | 10 years | $762,000 |
The earlier you start, the less you need.
Coast FIRE at Age 30
If you’re 30 years old with $140,000 invested, here’s what happens with no additional contributions:
| Age | Portfolio Value | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 30 | $140,000 | Coast FIRE achieved |
| 35 | $196,000 | Growing |
| 40 | $275,000 | Growing |
| 45 | $386,000 | Growing |
| 50 | $541,000 | Growing |
| 55 | $759,000 | Growing |
| 60 | $1,065,000 | Growing |
| 65 | $1,493,000 | Target reached |
At 7% real returns, no additional savings required
Coast FIRE Numbers by Target Amount
| Target at 65 | Age 25 | Age 30 | Age 35 | Age 40 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $1,000,000 | $67,000 | $93,000 | $131,000 | $184,000 |
| $1,250,000 | $83,000 | $117,000 | $164,000 | $230,000 |
| $1,500,000 | $100,000 | $140,000 | $197,000 | $276,000 |
| $1,750,000 | $117,000 | $163,000 | $230,000 | $322,000 |
| $2,000,000 | $133,000 | $187,000 | $263,000 | $368,000 |
How Coast FIRE Changes Your Options
Once you hit Coast FIRE, you can:
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| Downshift career | Take a lower-paying, more enjoyable job |
| Work part-time | Cover expenses with 20–30 hours/week |
| Start a business | Less financial pressure since retirement is covered |
| Take a sabbatical | Extended time off without derailing retirement |
| Pursue education | Go back to school without financial stress |
| Geographic arbitrage | Move somewhere cheaper, work less |
Canadian Coast FIRE Advantages
Lower target numbers
- CPP at 65: ~$15,000/year (reduces portfolio target by ~$375,000)
- OAS at 65: ~$8,700/year (reduces portfolio target by ~$217,500)
- Combined: ~$593,000 less portfolio needed vs. someone without these benefits
Example with Canadian benefits
| Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Portfolio needed (no CPP/OAS) | $1,500,000 |
| Minus CPP value | −$375,000 |
| Minus OAS value | −$217,500 |
| Adjusted FIRE number | $907,500 |
| Coast FIRE at 30 | $85,000 |
This assumes average CPP benefits. Your actual CPP depends on your contribution history.
Reaching Coast FIRE in 10 Years
| Monthly Savings | 7% Returns | 10-Year Portfolio |
|---|---|---|
| $500/month | 7% | $86,000 |
| $1,000/month | 7% | $173,000 |
| $1,500/month | 7% | $259,000 |
| $2,000/month | 7% | $346,000 |
Where to hold your Coast FIRE portfolio
The account structure matters almost as much as the amount. In Canada, the order of priority while building to Coast FIRE — and while coasting — is:
- TFSA first — all growth is tax-free; withdrawals don’t affect OAS or GIS eligibility; maximum flexibility in the coasting phase
- RRSP second — best if you’re in a high bracket now and expect to withdraw at a lower rate in retirement; the tax deduction accelerates your accumulation phase
- Non-registered accounts — use once TFSA and RRSP room are maximized; invest in low-turnover, tax-efficient ETFs to minimize annual tax drag while coasting
During the coasting phase, avoid selling investments in non-registered accounts unnecessarily — capital gains are only triggered on disposition, so holding reduces your tax burden.
Risks to your Coast FIRE plan
Coast FIRE looks elegant in a spreadsheet but carries real risks:
Sequence of returns risk: A major market crash in the early years of coasting — before the portfolio has had decades to grow — can push the portfolio below the required Coast FIRE threshold. A 30% decline at age 32 with $140,000 coasted leaves you at $98,000, which may no longer be enough to reach $1.5M by 65.
Inflation: The 7% growth rate used in most Coast FIRE calculations is a real return (after inflation). If actual returns are lower, or if your retirement spending increases faster than expected, the target number moves. Revisit your numbers every 3–5 years.
Lifestyle inflation: If your expenses rise significantly during the coasting phase, you may need a higher FIRE number than originally planned — which may require additional contributions even after reaching Coast FIRE.
Mitigation: Most Coast FIRE practitioners build in a 15–20% buffer above the calculated number and continue contributing small amounts ($100–$300/month) even after hitting Coast FIRE. This keeps the plan on track through adverse markets.
Tracking your progress toward Coast FIRE
The simplest tracking method is to recalculate your Coast FIRE number once a year using your current portfolio value, current age, and current retirement target:
- Estimate your annual retirement spending (today’s dollars)
- Multiply by 25 to get your FIRE number (4% rule)
- Subtract the present value of your expected CPP and OAS
- Divide the adjusted FIRE number by (1.07)^years to retirement
- Compare to your current portfolio — the gap is how much more you need to save before coasting
When your portfolio equals or exceeds step 4, you’ve reached Coast FIRE.