Example setup
Annual expenses
$48,000
Monthly contribution
$1,500
Safe withdrawal rate
4%
Target portfolio
$1,200,000
Calculate your FIRE number, 4% rule target, savings rate, annual expenses, and timeline for financial independence in United States.
Total annual living expenses
This United States FIRE number calculator estimates your target portfolio from annual expenses and a safe withdrawal rate, then models how current assets, monthly savings, return, and inflation affect the timeline.
If annual expenses are $48,000 and the safe withdrawal rate is 4%, the target portfolio is about $1,200,000. A lower withdrawal rate raises the target and makes the plan more conservative.
Read the planning guideYour FIRE number is the investable portfolio you need for financial independence. A common first estimate is annual expenses divided by a safe withdrawal rate, such as 4%.
The 4% rule is a retirement withdrawal heuristic: withdraw about 4% of the portfolio in the first year, then adjust spending for inflation. It is useful for estimating a FIRE target, but it is not a promise.
A safe withdrawal rate is the percentage of your portfolio you plan to withdraw each year while trying to avoid running out of money. Lower rates require more assets but add resilience.
Estimate the portfolio required for financial independence from annual expenses and your safe withdrawal rate.
Compare current assets, monthly savings, return, and inflation to see whether retiring at 30, 40, or another target age is realistic.
Use the reference table and calculator result together to understand whether current assets are a bridge, a Coast FIRE base, or a full FIRE portfolio.
This is the most important input. Higher spending raises the FIRE number. Model the lifestyle you want to sustain, not only your minimum current budget.
Return affects portfolio growth, while inflation raises future spending. Conservative assumptions usually make a better base plan than optimistic ones.
Monthly contributions can change the timeline materially. Raising income and controlling expenses are often more controllable than fine-tuning returns.
FIRE calculator FAQ
ChooseFIRE is for planning and education only. It is not investment, tax, or personalized financial advice. Real outcomes depend on markets, taxes, health costs, family changes, and local policy.