What is FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early)?

FIRE is a movement dedicated to a program of extreme savings and investment that allows proponents to retire far earlier than traditional budgets and retirement plans would allow. The core goal is to reach Financial Independence, the point at which your invested assets generate enough income to cover your living expenses indefinitely.

What is a Safe Withdrawal Rate (SWR)?

The Safe Withdrawal Rate is the percentage of your portfolio that you can withdraw each year in retirement with a low probability of running out of money. The 4% rule, based on a historical study called the Trinity Study, is the most famous SWR, but you can adjust it based on your risk tolerance.

FIRE Calculator (Financial Independence, Retire Early)

Currency

Your Finances

Annual Income (After Tax)

Annual Expenses

Current Invested Assets

Your Goals & Assumptions

Safe Withdrawal Rate (SWR)

Annual Return (After Inflation)

Your Path to Financial Independence

Your Annual Savings

Time to FIRE

Your FIRE Number

The Ultimate Escape Plan

Financial Independence isn't about being rich—it's about being free. It's the point where your assets generate enough income to cover your living expenses, meaning you no longer *have* to work for money. You've bought back your time, and the choice of how to spend it is entirely yours. This is the core principle of the FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) movement.

This calculator is your personalized roadmap to that freedom. It uses the popular **25x Rule** to calculate your **FIRE Number**—the nest egg you need to live off your investments. Then, based on your current savings rate and expected investment growth, it estimates your **Time to FIRE**. Seeing that date can be the most powerful motivation to optimize your spending, boost your income, and accelerate your journey to financial independence.

Tools to Accelerate Your Journey

401(k) & IRA Calculator: Project the growth of your primary retirement savings vehicle.
Investment Calculator: Model how different contribution amounts can speed up your timeline.
Retirement Calculator: For a more traditional retirement plan, see how your numbers stack up.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the 25x Rule / 4% Rule?

The 4% Rule is a guideline stating you can safely withdraw 4% of your portfolio in your first year of retirement, then adjust for inflation annually, with a high probability of your money lasting 30+ years. The 25x Rule is the inverse: your target savings goal (your FIRE Number) is 25 times your annual expenses (because 1 / 0.04 = 25).

Why use "after inflation" return?

This calculator uses a "real" rate of return (after inflation) to give a more accurate timeline. For example, if your investments earn 8% and inflation is 3%, your real rate of return is about 5%. This means your purchasing power is growing by 5% per year. Using a real return simplifies the calculation and provides a result in today's dollars.

What are "Lean FIRE" and "Fat FIRE"?

These are variations of the FIRE movement based on lifestyle. **Lean FIRE** aims for a minimalist lifestyle with very low annual expenses, allowing for a smaller FIRE number and an earlier retirement date. **Fat FIRE** aims for a more lavish retirement lifestyle with high annual expenses, requiring a much larger nest egg.