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When can retirement savings start coasting?

Explore when your investments could grow toward retirement without more deposits. Adjust the assumptions to see how much they matter.

Today’s purchasing power · Planning estimate · No account required

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The exact growth and withdrawal rates for the style you pick show under the result.

The estimate updates as you type.

Estimate

To coast by age 45, you need US$603,079.07 invested.

Projected at that age: US$326,007. Results use today’s purchasing power.

Key numbers

Needed by coast ageUS$603,079.07
Projected by coast ageUS$326,007
Monthly saving neededUS$2,737.29
Retirement targetUS$1,200,000.00
Checkpoint reached aroundNot before retirement

Assumes 3.5% growth after inflation and a 4% yearly withdrawal rate in retirement. Change the planning style or the optional details to test other assumptions.

Not included yet: Social Security or pension income.

Assumptions to check (4)
  • Monthly contributions arrive at the end of each full month. Any partial final month grows the balance without adding another contribution. A checkpoint before the next monthly deposit needs a one-time amount today; required monthly and lump-sum saving targets are rounded up to the next cent.
  • All amounts are in today’s dollars. Contributions must rise with inflation to keep this buying power. Returns are after inflation and fees; actual market returns vary.
  • Any pension entered is assumed to be available from your retirement age, after tax, and to keep pace with inflation. Earlier retirement needs a separate bridge plan.
  • Tax on investment withdrawals is not modeled. Include it in your spending target if you expect taxable retirement withdrawals. A constant withdrawal rate is a planning assumption, not a guarantee.
What this means for you

Coast FIRE asks one question: by age 45, will savings be large enough to grow to the retirement target on their own?

This estimates when you could stop adding to retirement savings. You would still need income to cover expenses until retirement. Results use today’s dollars.

At the current pace, the estimate is below the target by about US$277,072.47.

To hit age 45, total retirement saving would need to be about US$2,737.29 per month. That replaces the current amount, it is not added on top.

The inputs that move this answer most: Coast age · Money invested now · Monthly saving · Retirement spending.

See how Fred can help with the next step

Estimates only, not financial advice. Source information dated October 2026.

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Common questions

What is a Coast FIRE number?
Your Coast FIRE number is the amount that, invested by a chosen age, could grow to your retirement target on its own, with no new contributions. This calculator estimates it in today’s dollars from your retirement spending, a withdrawal rate, and growth after inflation.
Does Coast FIRE mean I can quit work?
No. It means retirement savings could grow to the target on their own from that point. You still need income to live on until you retire, you just may not need to keep adding to retirement savings.
Why use real returns?
Real return means growth after inflation. Using it keeps the output in today’s dollars so the number is easier to understand.
What does the monthly needed number mean?
The total monthly saving needed from now until your coast age to hit the checkpoint. It replaces your current monthly amount rather than adding to it.
Are the return assumptions predictions?
No. They are planning assumptions. Markets, inflation, taxes, fees, and your own spending can all change. Use cautious and optimistic settings to see how sensitive the plan is.
Why use today’s dollars?
Today’s dollars make the result easier to understand. A $4,500 monthly spending goal means the buying power of $4,500 today, not a larger future inflated amount.
Should I include Social Security or a pension?
Only include an after-tax estimate you are comfortable using. Benefits depend on your history and claiming age. Leaving them out is simpler and more conservative.

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