coast FIRE
A FIRE variant where enough is saved early that investments will grow to the full financial independence number by traditional retirement age without additional contributions.
Example
“Coast FIRE at 35 meant she had enough invested that it would grow to $1.5 million by 65 without another dollar saved.”
Memory Tip
COAST — save aggressively early, then stop. Let compounding carry you to the finish.
Why It Matters
Coast FIRE matters because it offers a realistic middle ground for people who cannot maintain aggressive saving rates indefinitely. Understanding this strategy helps workers decide when they can reduce financial pressure by stopping retirement contributions while still achieving full independence, making it valuable for life planning and career decisions.
Common Misconception
Many people mistakenly believe that coast FIRE means doing nothing financially until retirement, but it actually requires disciplined early saving and investing. The core requirement is that you must have already accumulated enough capital early on; you cannot coast without having built that substantial nest egg first.
In Practice
Suppose a 30-year-old saves aggressively and accumulates 500,000 dollars in retirement accounts, then stops contributing entirely. If that money grows at 7 percent annually, it will reach approximately 2.7 million dollars by age 65. This person can now coast through their 30s, 40s, 50s, and 60s without adding more money while still reaching their financial independence goal.
Etymology
Modern FIRE sub-category — coasting to retirement without further saving.
Common Misspellings
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