Coast FIRE by Age:
the number you need at every age
Your Coast FIRE number is the amount you need invested today so that, with zero further contributions, it compounds into a full retirement nest egg on its own. Because it leans entirely on compound growth, the number is far smaller when you are young and larger as retirement gets closer. Here is what it looks like at each age.
Want your exact number?
These tables use fixed assumptions. The calculator lets you set your own spending, return, retirement age, and a glide path that tapers returns near retirement.
Open the Coast FIRE Calculator →Coast FIRE number by age and retirement spending
Each cell shows the amount you would need invested today to reach Coast FIRE, assuming a 7% real return after inflation and a target retirement age of 65. Find your current age on the left, then read across to the annual spending you expect in retirement.
| Current age | $40k / year | $60k / year | $80k / year | $100k / year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 | $67,000 | $100,000 | $134,000 | $167,000 |
| 30 | $94,000 | $140,000 | $187,000 | $234,000 |
| 35 | $131,000 | $197,000 | $263,000 | $328,000 |
| 40 | $184,000 | $276,000 | $368,000 | $461,000 |
| 45 | $258,000 | $388,000 | $517,000 | $646,000 |
| 50 | $362,000 | $544,000 | $725,000 | $906,000 |
| 55 | $508,000 | $763,000 | $1.02M | $1.27M |
Assumes a 7% real annual return, retirement at age 65, and the 4% rule (a 25× nest egg). Lower your return assumption or retire earlier and the numbers rise. Your own figure will differ — run it through the calculator.
Why the number grows as you get older
Coast FIRE works because compound growth does the heavy lifting between today and retirement. A 25-year-old has roughly 40 years for money to compound, so a relatively small balance can grow into a seven-figure nest egg untouched. A 50-year-old has only about 15 years left, so the same goal requires a much larger starting balance.
That is why the dollar amounts in the table roughly double every 10 to 15 years of age. The math has not changed — you have simply handed compound growth fewer years to work with, so more of the job has to be done by money you already have.
Coast FIRE in your 20s
This is the cheapest time to lock in Coast FIRE. Hitting a five-figure balance in your mid-20s can be enough to coast to a comfortable retirement, which means every dollar you save after that is optional — available for a home, a sabbatical, or a career change.
Coast FIRE in your 30s and 40s
Most people reach Coast FIRE here, often without realizing they have crossed the line. If you have been contributing to a 401(k) or IRA since your 20s, your balance may already be at or near the threshold. The calculator tells you whether you are already coasting and, if not, the age you will cross over at your current savings rate.
Coast FIRE in your 50s
It is not too late. The number is larger because there are fewer compounding years left, but reaching it still means you can stop saving for retirement and redirect that cash flow to the years right before you stop working.
See where you stand
Enter your age, savings, and spending to find out if you are already coasting — or the exact age you will hit your number.
Calculate my Coast FIRE number →Common Questions
For educational purposes only. Not financial advice. Figures are illustrative estimates based on the stated assumptions and will differ from your actual situation. Consult a qualified financial advisor before making major decisions.