Question 1

What is CoastFIRE?

Accepted Answer

CoastFIRE is the point where you have enough saved that your portfolio will grow to your FIRE number by your target retirement age — even if you never invest another dollar. You can 'coast' by only earning enough to cover current expenses, without needing to save for retirement.

Question 2

How is the CoastFIRE number calculated?

Accepted Answer

CoastFIRE number = FIRE number ÷ (1 + expected return)^(years to retirement). For example, if your FIRE number is $1.5M, you expect 7% returns, and you want to retire in 15 years, your CoastFIRE number is $1.5M ÷ 1.07^15 = $544K. If you have $544K today, it will grow to $1.5M in 15 years at 7%.

Question 3

What is the difference between CoastFIRE and regular FIRE?

Accepted Answer

Regular FIRE means you have your full retirement number saved and can stop working entirely. CoastFIRE means your existing savings will eventually grow to your FIRE number, so you no longer need to save — but you still need income to cover current expenses. It's a milestone on the path to full FIRE.

Question 4

How does location affect my CoastFIRE number?

Accepted Answer

Your CoastFIRE number depends on your FIRE number, which depends on your retirement spending. If you plan to retire in Chiang Mai ($830/month) instead of Miami ($3,940/month), your FIRE number drops by ~75%, and your CoastFIRE number drops proportionally. Choosing a lower cost-of-living retirement destination can mean you've already reached CoastFIRE.

Question 5

What return rate should I assume?

Accepted Answer

A 7% annual return reflects the long-term average of a diversified stock portfolio after inflation. More conservative investors might use 5-6%. The calculator lets you adjust this — lower returns mean a higher CoastFIRE number and longer time to coast.

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