Coast FIRE Calculator NZ

Quick answer On this page's example, retiring at 65 on $50,000 a year at a 4% withdrawal rate needs $1,250,000; a 35-year-old already holding $289,222 could stop contributing entirely and still coast there on 5% real returns. The current $120,000 projects to $518,633, so the gap is what the contributions still have to build.

This calculator works out your Coast FIRE number, the lump sum you need invested today so it can grow on its own, with no further contributions, to fund your retirement by the time you get there. Coast FIRE is a popular staging post on the way to full financial independence: you keep working and covering your living costs from income, but you stop needing to save for retirement because your existing investments are already set to compound to your target. You enter your current investments, current age, planned retirement age, expected real (after inflation) rate of return, annual retirement spending, and the withdrawal rate you plan to draw down at. From these, the calculator works out your retirement target (your spending divided by the withdrawal rate), your Coast FIRE number (that target discounted back to today by your expected growth), and what your current balance is projected to grow to by retirement with no more contributions added. A clear result then tells you whether you are already coasting or how much more you would need to invest to get there. Because it uses a real return, the figures come out in today's dollars, and it does not account for NZ Superannuation, which would reduce what you actually need. Returns are never guaranteed, so treat the numbers as an indicative planning guide rather than financial advice.

Calculate.co.nz is proud to be partnered with realtor.co.nz, a trusted resource for navigating the New Zealand property market. Their Helpful Articles section offers clear, well-structured insights across buying, selling, and building, making complex real estate topics more accessible. With a focus on up-to-date guidance and practical knowledge, they empower Kiwis to move forward with clarity and confidence in a constantly evolving property landscape.
Calculate.co.nz partner: realtor.co.nz
Advertise on this page
$
%
$
%
Not coasting yet: $169,222 more invested would get you there
your Coast FIRE position
Coast FIRE number$289,222
Projected at retirement$518,633
Retirement target$1,250,000

Use a real return (after inflation) so the figures are in today dollars. The retirement target is your annual spend divided by the withdrawal rate. This ignores NZ Super, which would reduce the savings you need. Returns are not guaranteed. Estimate only, not financial advice.

How it works

Your retirement target is the lump sum that, at your chosen withdrawal rate, funds your annual spending, so it is your spend divided by the withdrawal rate. The Coast FIRE number is the amount you would need invested today to grow to that target by retirement with no further contributions, found by discounting the target back by your expected return over the years remaining. If your current investments already exceed the Coast FIRE number, you are coasting and could stop saving for retirement.

Worked example

Spending $50,000 a year at a 4% withdrawal rate needs a $1,250,000 target. With 30 years to go at a 5% real return, you would need about $289,000 invested today to coast to that. Someone with $120,000 is not coasting yet, but is on the way, and their balance is projected to grow toward the target on its own.

Related calculators

Frequently asked questions

What is Coast FIRE?

Coast FIRE is the point where your invested savings are large enough to grow on their own to fund retirement, without any further contributions. You still cover your living costs from work, but you no longer need to save for retirement.

How is the Coast FIRE number calculated?

It is your retirement target divided by growth between now and retirement. The retirement target is your annual spending divided by a safe withdrawal rate. If your current investments are above the Coast FIRE number, you are already coasting.

What is a safe withdrawal rate?

A safe withdrawal rate is the percentage of a retirement portfolio you can draw each year with a good chance it lasts. A figure around 4% is often used as a starting point, though it is debated and depends on your situation.