Retirement & FIRE2 min read

Coast FIRE: What It Is and Why It Matters

Coast FIRE is the point at which you have invested enough that — even without investing another dollar — compound growth alone will fund your retirement at a traditional age. You can stop aggressive saving and simply coast.

Using 7% average annual growth, money doubles approximately every 10 years. A 35-year-old who wants $1,000,000 at 65 needs approximately $250,000 invested today to coast there.

Coast FIRE represents a genuine inflection point — the moment where saving pressure can meaningfully ease. Many achievers shift from high-stress careers to lower-paying but more fulfilling roles, knowing their future retirement is secured.

It's particularly relevant for younger investors who start early. A 25-year-old investing $500/month for 5-7 years could potentially hit Coast FIRE before 35 — giving them decades of lower-stress living ahead.

The key risk is underestimating returns or overestimating the timeframe. Building in conservative assumptions and reviewing annually is essential.

Coast FIRE is one of the most psychologically powerful milestones in the FIRE journey — the moment you realise your future is funded and your present is yours to design.

Richify Tip

Richify's AI agents calculate your personalised Coast FIRE number instantly — showing exactly when you can stop aggressive saving and let compound growth carry you.

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