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FIRE Calculator Australia
Find your financial independence number, years to FIRE, and model Lean, Regular or Fat FIRE scenarios.
🔥 FIRE Calculator — Financial Independence Australia
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the FIRE number and how is it calculated?
Your FIRE number is the investment portfolio size needed to retire and live off investment returns indefinitely. The standard calculation is: Annual Expenses ÷ Safe Withdrawal Rate. Using the 4% rule: if you spend $60,000/year, your FIRE number is $60,000 ÷ 0.04 = $1,500,000.
What is the 4% rule and is it valid in Australia?
The 4% rule (from the Trinity Study) suggests withdrawing 4% of your portfolio per year is sustainable for 30+ years. In Australia, with diversified index funds and lower equity returns than the US historically, many FIRE advocates use 3.5% to be conservative, especially for early retirees with 40+ year horizons.
What is the difference between Lean FIRE, Regular FIRE and Fat FIRE?
Lean FIRE means retiring on a minimal budget (typically under $40,000/year in Australia). Regular FIRE is a comfortable middle-ground ($50,000–$80,000/year). Fat FIRE means retiring with a high income ($100,000+/year) for a luxury lifestyle. Each requires a correspondingly larger portfolio.
Does my Australian superannuation count toward my FIRE number?
It depends on your age. Super is preserved until preservation age (60 for most Australians). If you plan to retire at 40, your super is locked away for 20 years. The FIRE Calculator lets you factor in super as a separate component that kicks in at retirement age.