Coast FIRE — Let Compounding Do the Heavy Lifting
Coast FIRE is the point where you have saved enough that, even without adding another euro, your portfolio will grow to your full FIRE number by retirement age. From there, you only need to cover today's expenses.
How Coast FIRE works
Imagine you want €1,000,000 by age 60. If you invest €300,000 by age 35 at a 7% annual return, that amount roughly doubles every 10 years. By age 65 it would be over €1,600,000 — without you adding a cent after 35.
Coast FIRE = FIRE number / (1 + return)^(years left)
The amount you need today so compounding alone reaches your goal.
Why choose Coast FIRE?
- Less pressure: no need to maximise income in your 40s and 50s.
- Career freedom: switch to lower-paying but more meaningful work.
- Earlier milestone: reach Coast FIRE years before full FI.
- Safety net: even if you can't save more, you're still on track.
Common pitfalls
Coast FIRE assumes you don't withdraw from the portfolio before retirement. It also relies on average market returns, which are not guaranteed. A lower return or an unexpected early withdrawal can push your timeline back.
Check your Coast FIRE status
Use the MyFireView calculator to see if your current wealth is already enough to coast to FIRE.
Start your FIRE planKeep learning about FIRE
Explore the other FIRE strategies and frequently asked questions to round out your plan.
What is FIRE
FIRE explained: the 4% rule, how to calculate your FIRE number, savings-rate math and the Lean, Fat, Coast and Barista variants — in one guide.
Lean FIRE
Lean FIRE reaches financial independence faster on €20k–€30k a year. Learn the math, lifestyle trade-offs and how to calculate your Lean FIRE number.
Fat FIRE
Fat FIRE targets €80k–€150k a year in retirement spending. Learn the portfolio size you need, the strategy and who Fat FIRE is right for.
Barista FIRE
Barista FIRE blends part-time work with portfolio withdrawals so you can exit full-time work years earlier. Learn the formula and typical roles.
FIRE FAQ
Answers to the most common questions about FIRE, the 4% rule and your FIRE number.