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FIRE Retirement Simulator [2026]

Enter your income, annual living expenses, and current assets to automatically calculate years to FIRE and your target nest egg. Lean FIRE, Fat FIRE, and Coast FIRE are all compared in one view.

What Is FIRE?

FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) is a lifestyle movement centered on achieving the freedom to stop working for money by accumulating enough investment assets to live off their returns indefinitely. It gained popularity in the US in the 2010s and has since spread worldwide.

The core FIRE formula is simple: earn more, spend less, invest the difference. A higher savings rate accelerates FIRE in two ways — you accumulate faster, and your required nest egg shrinks because your lifestyle costs less.

How the 4% Rule Works

The 4% rule originates from the Trinity Study, a landmark research paper showing that a portfolio invested primarily in stocks can sustain annual withdrawals of 4% for 30+ years without being depleted. This means 25x your annual expenses is the classic FIRE target.

Conservative planners use 3–3.5% withdrawal rates for longer retirements. This simulator lets you adjust the withdrawal rate from 2–5% so you can model any scenario.

FIRE Types Explained

Lean FIRE — Achieve financial independence on a minimal budget (expenses × 0.8). Lower required assets, but demands frugal living.

Standard FIRE — Maintain your current lifestyle in retirement. The classic 25x annual expenses target.

Fat FIRE — Retire with a more generous lifestyle (expenses × 1.5). Requires a larger portfolio but provides maximum comfort.

Coast FIRE — The point at which your current assets will grow on their own to your full FIRE number by age 65, with no further contributions. Once you reach Coast FIRE, you only need to cover living expenses.

Barista FIRE — Semi-retire before reaching full FIRE by covering part of living expenses with part-time or passion work.

How to Reach FIRE Faster

1. Maximize your savings rate — Going from 20% to 50% savings can cut your timeline by 20+ years
2. Invest in low-cost index funds — Broad market ETFs with expense ratios under 0.2% compound powerfully over time
3. Add income streams — Side income raises your savings rate without cutting lifestyle
4. Cut fixed costs first — Every $100/month in permanent savings = $30,000 less needed (at 4% rule)

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