Can I Coast FIRE?

Coast FIRE asks whether money already invested can grow to your FIRE number by a traditional retirement age without more contributions. You can keep working for living expenses. Extra investing becomes optional only when today's balance already covers that future number.

The Coast number is the FIRE number discounted by the real return over the years until the traditional retirement age. If invested assets are at or above that number, the model says you can coast. A gap means more saving, a higher return, or a later age would still be needed.

You can count a monthly government benefit at 100%, 83%, or 0%. Counting it lowers the spending the portfolio must fund, which lowers the FIRE number and the Coast number. 83% leaves a margin. In the US it is also the 2026 Social Security trustees payable share. It is not a CPP or OAS rule, and it is not a forecast of your benefit.

The verdict only says the model closes the gap under the assumptions on screen. Taxes, healthcare, a lower return, or a longer life can reopen it. Many people who can coast keep investing. This is an educational estimate, not advice to stop contributions.