🇺🇸 US · figures as of 2026-06
Career Decisions

FIRE Calculator

Calculate your FIRE number, years to financial independence, and how Social Security changes your target. Based on the 4% safe withdrawal rate from the Trinity Study.

Your Situation
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Most retirees spend $40k–$80k/yr · include healthcare

$

401(k), IRA, taxable brokerage combined

$

Include any employer 401(k) match

7% = historical stock real return · 5% = balanced

Social Security & Adjustments
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4% classic rule · 3.5% for 40+ yr retirements

Your FIRE Number

—
at 4% withdrawal rate
Now FIRE target

FIRE Scenarios & Projections

Data sources & methodology: FIRE number = annual expenses ÷ withdrawal rate. Years to FIRE computed by projecting portfolio growth at stated real return until it exceeds the FIRE number. Social Security reduces the FIRE number by capitalizing that annual income. Based on the Trinity Study (Bengen 1994) and subsequent research. Past market returns do not guarantee future results. See how your contributions grow with our compound interest calculator, or read how to bridge to pension-access age if you plan to retire early. Disclaimer →

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Frequently asked questions

What is the FIRE number and how is it calculated?
Your FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) number is the portfolio size that lets you live off withdrawals indefinitely. The standard formula is annual expenses divided by your safe withdrawal rate — at the classic 4% rate, that is 25× your annual spending. If you spend $60,000 a year, your FIRE number is about $1.5 million.
Is the 4% rule still safe for early retirement?
The 4% rule comes from the Trinity Study and assumes about a 30-year retirement. For early retirees facing 40–50+ years, many planners use a more conservative 3.25–3.5% rate to improve the odds the portfolio lasts. A lower rate means a larger FIRE number but more safety.
How does Social Security change my FIRE number?
Social Security income reduces the portfolio you need, because part of future spending is covered by benefits rather than withdrawals. This calculator capitalizes your estimated annual benefit and subtracts it from required spending — though benefits usually start at 62–70, not at early retirement.
What return rate should I use for FIRE projections?
Most projections use a real (inflation-adjusted) return of about 5–7% for a stock-heavy portfolio, based on long-run historical averages. A real return keeps your FIRE number in today’s dollars. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so it is wise to stress-test a lower rate.
How do I bridge the years before I can access my pension?
Tax-advantaged retirement accounts usually cannot be drawn before a set age without penalty — about 59½ for a US 401(k)/IRA, 55 (rising to 57 in 2028) for a UK pension, and 60 for Australian super. If you retire earlier, you need enough in accessible savings (a taxable brokerage, ISA, TFSA or similar) to cover spending from your retirement date until that access age. This calculator estimates the size of that bridge for you.

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Data reference (United States): Trinity Study (Bengen); SSA actuarial tables · figures as of 2026-06 · Compiled from official public sources via AI-assisted research; latest available data, not individually verified - general information, not advice.. See our methodology for how every figure is sourced and dated.

🔒 Calculations run 100% in your browser — we never see your numbers 📊 Built on primary-source data (see references above) 🔄 Reviewed 2026 · methodology · disclaimer