What’s Your Coast FIRE Number by Age? See the Milestones for 25, 30, 35, 40...

Are You on Track to Retire Early — or Way Behind?

Let’s cut to the chase: if you had zero savings at 30, would you still be able to retire early?

The answer might surprise you — and it lies in a powerful concept called Coast FIRE. Unlike traditional retirement plans that pressure you to save forever, Coast FIRE asks a better question: “How much do I need to invest now to let compound interest do the rest?”

This post breaks it down by age, so you’ll know exactly where you stand — and what number to hit next.

The Problem With Traditional Retirement Advice

If you've ever googled “how much should I save by 30?”, you've probably seen rules like “save 1x your salary by age 30, 3x by 40…” or “put away 15% of your income every year.”

But here’s the problem:

• These rules assume you’ll keep saving for 30+ years
• They ignore compound interest math
• They make financial independence feel out of reach

That’s where Coast FIRE flips the script. Instead of saving forever, you save enough early that your money grows on autopilot — even if you stop contributing.

What Is Your Coast FIRE Number?

Your Coast FIRE number is how much money you need today so it can grow — without any additional contributions — into your desired retirement fund by a target age like 60 or 65.

🧠 Think of it like this:
If your future self needs $1 million to retire, and you’re 30 today, how much needs to be invested right now so it grows to that $1M on its own?

Here's a simplified formula:

If:

• Your target retirement fund = $1,000,000
• You’re 30 now
• You want to retire at 60
• Your average return = 7% annually

Then:

So if you have ~$131k invested by age 30 and never save another penny, you’ll still hit $1M by 60.

Coast FIRE Numbers by Age: Are You On Track?

Let’s look at the milestone numbers by age — assuming:

• Target Retirement Fund: $1,000,000
• Annual Growth Rate: 7%
• No Further Contributions

Source: Calculated using [$FV = PV \times (1 + r)^n$], assuming 7% return.

🎯 These numbers are not net worth goals — they’re your invested assets in stocks, index funds, or retirement accounts.

Want to calculate your own? Use the Coast FIRE Calculator to adjust for your lifestyle, age, spending, and target retirement age.

Why Coast FIRE Works (Even If You Stop Saving)

Here’s why Coast FIRE is such a game-changer:

• Compound interest does the heavy lifting
  You stop working for your money — your money starts working for you.

• Psychological relief
  Knowing you’re "on track" reduces money stress even if you're in a low-earning year or want to change careers.

• Flexible retirement planning
  Coast FIRE doesn’t require a complete break from work — just financial optionality.

Most importantly, you’re not stuck grinding until 65+.

Common Mistakes People Make With Coast FIRE

Even with the right mindset, many people fall into traps:

• Forgetting inflation: $1M today won’t be worth the same in 30 years. Adjust for a 2–3% inflation rate when calculating future needs.

• Overestimating returns: Don’t assume 10%+ returns every year. Be conservative with 6–7% long-term averages.

• Underestimating expenses: Coast FIRE assumes you'll need less later — but healthcare, housing, and lifestyle inflation add up.

• Not investing properly: Money in a checking account isn’t compounding. Coast FIRE only works if your assets are invested (e.g., index funds, 401(k), IRAs).

How to Calculate Your Own Coast FIRE Number

You don’t need to build spreadsheets or be a math whiz. Here's how to get started:

1. Estimate how much money you’ll need in retirement.
   Use the 4% rule:
   $40,000 annual spend = $1,000,000 retirement fund.

2. Decide your target retirement age.
   (E.g., 60, 65)

3. Use a 7% return estimate to work backward.
   Or, better yet...

4. Plug your numbers into the Coast FIRE Calculator for instant results — including warnings if you’re off track.

Key Takeaways: Get Clarity on Your Path

• Your Coast FIRE number by age tells you exactly how much you need today to coast into retirement.
• It’s not about working harder — it’s about investing smarter, earlier.
• Start with age-based benchmarks, then personalize using our free Coast FIRE Calculator.
• Even if you’re behind, every dollar invested today reduces future stress.

Next Steps: Use the Free Coast FIRE Calculator

No login, no spreadsheet, just real numbers:

• See your age-based Coast FIRE number
• Get instant feedback on your financial path
• Adjust your spending, contribution, or retirement age

👉 Try the Calculator Now