FIRE Calculator (Financial Independence)
How close are you to financial independence? Enter your savings, spending and savings rate to get your FIRE number (the 4% rule) and the years until work becomes optional.
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Learn moreThe 4% rule, simply
Financial independence means your investments can cover your spending indefinitely. The 4% rule says a portfolio of about 25× your annual expenses can sustain ~4% withdrawals a year (inflation-adjusted) with high success over a long retirement. Your savings rate — not your income — is the biggest lever on how soon you get there.
How it’s calculated & sources
FIRE number = annual spending ÷ safe withdrawal rate (4% → 25×). We grow your current savings plus annual contributions at your expected real return until the balance reaches the FIRE number.
Benchmark: the 4% safe-withdrawal rule (Trinity study; Morningstar 2026 puts a safe starting rate near 3.9%).
Results update as you type and are general estimates, not personalized financial or tax advice. Verify with a professional.
Worked example
Spending $60,000/year at a 4% rate needs $1.5M. Starting with $120k and investing $24k/year at a 5% real return, you reach it in about 25 years.
Frequently asked questions
Is 4% still safe?
It’s a durable rule of thumb; recent analyses suggest ~3.5–4% as a safe starting rate. Lower the withdrawal rate for a longer or more conservative retirement.
Should I use a real or nominal return?
Use a real (inflation-adjusted) return, ~4–6% for a stock-heavy portfolio, so the result is in today’s dollars.
Does this include Social Security or a pension?
No — those reduce how much you need from investments, so your true FIRE number may be lower.
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