Time to FIRE Countdown
Estimate months to a target set at 25 times annual spending from savings, income, expenses, and nominal return.
How It Works
Enter current savings, monthly income, monthly expenses, and an expected annual return. The target is monthly expenses multiplied by 12 and by 25. Monthly savings equal income minus expenses. Each month the model applies one twelfth of the annual return, then adds one month of savings at month end.
The results show the target, projected months remaining, savings rate, current progress, and the month and amount for four milestones. A month count appears only when the target is reached within the projection limit.
This is a deterministic target countdown, not a probability estimate. Reaching the 25 times expenses target does not show whether a retirement plan is safe. The model does not include inflation, changing expenses, taxes, withdrawals, or market variability.
Enter a nominal annual return and monthly income and expenses in the same currency. The calculator holds these inputs constant and does not model raises, bonuses, irregular contributions, or future spending changes.
Step by step
- Enter current savings, monthly income, monthly expenses, and nominal annual return
- Review the target, projected months, savings rate, progress, and milestone table
- Change one input to see how the fixed monthly projection changes
Worked example
Enter current savings of $0, monthly income of $2,000, monthly expenses of $1,000, and an expected annual return of 0%. The target is $300,000 because monthly expenses are multiplied by 12 and then by 25. Monthly savings are $1,000.
The results show 300 months to the target, a 50% savings rate, and 0% current progress. The milestone table reaches $75,000 at month 75, $150,000 at month 150, $225,000 at month 225, and $300,000 at month 300. This is a fixed assumption projection, not a probability or a guarantee that the target supports retirement spending.
When to use this calculator
Use this calculator to compare current savings and monthly cash flow with a target of 25 times annual spending under a nominal return assumption.
Use a separate inflation or withdrawal analysis when you need to examine future spending or retirement sustainability.
Common mistakes
Using an after inflation return while entering nominal expenses mixes units. Enter a nominal annual return and nominal monthly amounts. This calculator does not adjust expenses for inflation.
Entering zero monthly expenses creates a zero target and makes the progress percentage undefined. Use positive expenses for a meaningful progress result.
The Formula
Target = Monthly Expenses × 12 × 25
Monthly return = Expected Return % / 1200
Each month: Balance = Balance × (1 + Monthly return) + Monthly Income − Monthly Expenses
Savings rate = (Monthly Income − Monthly Expenses) / Monthly Income × 100
The expected annual return is nominal and divided by 12. The model keeps monthly income, expenses, and return constant, and checks up to 1,200 months. It does not adjust expenses for inflation.
Limitations and assumptions
The target is fixed at 25 times annual expenses. The model assumes positive monthly expenses and constant nominal income, expenses, and annual return, converts return to a monthly rate, and adds savings at each month end. It does not adjust expenses for inflation or include taxes, withdrawals, irregular contributions, or variable market returns. The search stops at 1,200 months. Reaching the target is not a guarantee of retirement safety.
Key terms
- FIRE target
- Monthly expenses multiplied by 12 and by 25. It is a fixed planning target, not a guarantee that a portfolio can support retirement withdrawals.
- Savings rate
- Monthly income minus monthly expenses, divided by monthly income. The same difference is treated as the amount added to savings each month.
- Milestone
- The projected month and balance to reach 25%, 50%, 75%, or 100% of the target under the entered constant assumptions.
Compare alternatives
Use the Real Return Calculator to examine how inflation changes a target’s purchasing power. The Coast FIRE Calculator models whether current savings could grow without further contributions. The Monte Carlo FIRE Simulator explores a range of return sequences, while the Passive Income Bridge Calculator models income needed between stopping work and a later income source.
Start with the same spending and savings assumptions, then use a related calculator for the next question. This page uses a fixed target of 25 times annual spending. It does not test whether withdrawals would remain sustainable through retirement.
FAQ
How is the FIRE target calculated?
The target is monthly expenses multiplied by 12 and by 25. It is a fixed planning convention often associated with a 4% initial withdrawal rate. Reaching it here does not establish that withdrawals will be sustainable or that retirement is safe.
How is savings rate calculated?
Savings rate equals monthly income minus monthly expenses, divided by monthly income. The projection uses the difference between income and expenses as the monthly contribution and keeps both amounts constant.
What do the milestones show?
The table shows the amount and projected month for 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% of the target. Each milestone uses the same monthly savings and return assumptions as the main countdown.
How is the time estimate calculated?
Each month, the model applies one twelfth of the entered annual return to the balance, then adds monthly income minus monthly expenses. It checks for the target for up to 1,200 months. If the balance does not reach the target within that limit, no month count is returned.
Which inputs change the estimate?
Lower monthly expenses reduce the target and increase the amount left to save. Higher monthly income increases the modeled contribution if expenses stay the same. The calculator does not project raises, spending changes, or one time deposits.
Related Tools
Use the Real Return Calculator to compare nominal and inflation adjusted returns, the Coast FIRE Calculator to examine a no further contributions scenario, and the Monte Carlo FIRE Simulator to explore return sequence risk. The Passive Income Bridge Calculator models an income gap before a later pension or benefit.