What is Coast FIRE?

Coast FIRE is a milestone where your current invested assets are already large enough that, even if you stop contributing, the portfolio can grow into your retirement target by the time you retire. It is a practical path between aggressive accumulation and full financial independence.

How Coast FIRE Differs from Traditional FIRE

Traditional FIRE focuses on building the full nest egg before retirement. Coast FIRE focuses on reaching an early inflection point where compound growth can do the rest. That gives many people more flexibility, lower savings pressure, and the ability to choose work on their own terms.

The Mathematics Behind Coast FIRE

The math is built on compound growth. Every year, your balance earns returns, and those returns begin earning returns too. Over long time horizons, even small differences in contribution levels, expected growth, fees, and inflation can create a large gap in retirement outcomes.

Benefits and Challenges of Coast FIRE

• Less pressure to maximize contributions forever.
• More flexibility in career and lifestyle decisions.
• Market returns are never guaranteed.
• Inflation and fees can materially change the result.

Frequently Asked Questions