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
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401(k) + IRA + brokerage combined
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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
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at 4% withdrawal rate
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 the annual SS income. Based on the Trinity Study (Bengen 1994) and subsequent research. Past market returns do not guarantee future results. Disclaimer →
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.
🔒 Calculations run 100% in your browser — we never see your numbers 📊 Built on primary-source data (see sources above) 🔄 Reviewed 2026 · methodology · disclaimer