FIRE Calculator by Age

Customized FIRE strategies and timelines for every life stage. Calculate your path to financial independence based on your current age.

FIRE in Your 20s

Ages 22-29 • Maximum time advantage

Key Advantages

  • • 40+ years of compound growth
  • • Lower living expenses typically
  • • Career growth potential
  • • Risk tolerance for aggressive investing

Recommended Strategy

Savings Rate:

20-40% of income

Timeline:

15-25 years to FI

Best FIRE Type:

Any - full flexibility

Investment Focus:

Growth stocks, index funds

Action Steps

  1. 1. Start with any amount - even $50/month
  2. 2. Maximize employer 401k match
  3. 3. Open Roth IRA for tax-free growth
  4. 4. Focus on income growth and skill development
  5. 5. Keep lifestyle inflation minimal

Example Scenario

25-year-old earning $50K, saving 25% ($12.5K/year)

At 45

$1.2M

FIRE Number

$1M

Retirement

Age 43

FIRE in Your 30s

Ages 30-39 • Peak earning potential

Key Advantages

  • • Higher income than 20s
  • • 25-35 years to compound
  • • Career stability developing
  • • Financial discipline established

Recommended Strategy

Savings Rate:

40-60% of income

Timeline:

10-20 years to FI

Best FIRE Type:

Traditional or Fat FIRE

Investment Focus:

Balanced growth portfolio

Action Steps

  1. 1. Aggressively increase savings rate
  2. 2. Max out 401k and IRA contributions
  3. 3. Consider taxable investment accounts
  4. 4. Optimize taxes and expenses
  5. 5. Consider real estate investment

Example Scenario

35-year-old earning $80K, saving 50% ($40K/year)

At 50

$1.8M

FIRE Number

$1.5M

Retirement

Age 48

FIRE in Your 40s

Ages 40-49 • Catch-up time

Key Considerations

  • • 15-25 years to compound
  • • Peak earning years
  • • Family financial obligations
  • • Need for aggressive approach

Recommended Strategy

Savings Rate:

50-70% of income

Timeline:

15-20 years to FI

Best FIRE Type:

Coast or Barista FIRE

Investment Focus:

Balanced with some bonds

Action Steps

  1. 1. Use catch-up contributions ($7,500 extra)
  2. 2. Eliminate all debt aggressively
  3. 3. Consider Coast FIRE as primary target
  4. 4. Maximize high-income years
  5. 5. Plan for healthcare bridge insurance

Example Scenario

45-year-old earning $120K, saving 60% ($72K/year)

At 60

$2.1M

FIRE Number

$1.8M

Retirement

Age 58

FIRE in Your 50s

Ages 50-59 • Enhanced traditional retirement

Realistic Goals

  • • 10-15 years to traditional retirement
  • • Focus on Coast FIRE achievement
  • • Enhanced retirement lifestyle
  • • Bridge to Medicare at 65

Recommended Strategy

Savings Rate:

60%+ of income

Timeline:

10-15 years to FI

Best FIRE Type:

Coast FIRE primarily

Investment Focus:

Conservative growth

Action Steps

  1. 1. Maximize catch-up contributions
  2. 2. Pay off mortgage before retirement
  3. 3. Plan healthcare transition strategy
  4. 4. Consider Roth conversions
  5. 5. Create bridge income plan

Example Scenario

55-year-old earning $150K, saving 70% ($105K/year)

At 65

$2.8M

Coast Target

$2M

Coast Achieved

Age 62

Universal FIRE Principles by Age

Time-Based Advantages

  • Starting at 25: Can retire by 45 with 25% savings rate
  • Starting at 35: Can retire by 50 with 50% savings rate
  • Starting at 45: Can achieve Coast FIRE by 55
  • Starting at 55: Can enhance traditional retirement significantly

Age-Agnostic Success Factors

  • Start immediately regardless of amount
  • Automate investments to remove emotion
  • Focus on income growth alongside savings
  • Minimize lifestyle inflation as income rises
  • Stay consistent through market ups and downs