Coast FIRE Calculator for Couples
Plan your financial freedom together. See how combining finances gets you there faster.
Combined Coast FIRE
$329,443
Shared Parameters
Your Coast FIRE Breakdown
Contribution Breakdown
Together vs Separately
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Need a different calculation? Try these:
Why Couples Have an Advantage
Shared Expenses, Shared Freedom
Two people, one rent. One internet bill. One Netflix. Couples don't spend 2× what singles spend. Your combined expenses are typically 30-40% less per person than if you lived alone. A single person spending $50K/year needs $1.25M. A couple spending $80K total needs $2M—that's $1M each, not $1.25M.
Risk Diversification
Two income streams beat one. If one partner loses a job or needs time off, the other can cover basics. You're not betting everything on a single career. This safety net lets you take more investment risk—which typically means higher returns.
Built-in Accountability
It's harder to quit when someone's counting on you. Couples who track finances together save more consistently than individuals. You have a built-in accountability partner who shares your goal. When motivation dips, you have backup.
Coast FIRE Strategies for Couples
Managing Income Disparity
One partner earns more? That's normal, not a problem. The higher earner can front-load savings while the lower earner builds career capital. Use "Side-by-Side" view to see each partner's contribution percentage. Don't aim for 50/50—aim for what's sustainable.
The Staggered Retirement Approach
You don't have to retire together. If Partner A hits Coast FIRE first, they can switch to lower-stress work while Partner B continues. This "coasting" period still covers expenses while investments grow. Partner B coasts later—nobody works grueling jobs forever.
One Coast, One Grind
Split the burden strategically. One partner takes the stable, higher-paying job (the "grind"). The other pursues passion work, part-time gigs, or caregiving (the "coast"). Combined income covers expenses; one person's investments compound untouched. This works especially well when kids are young or parents need care.
Frequently Asked Questions
Add your savings together. Divide by your combined expenses. A couple spending $80K/year needs $2M at retirement (4% rule). If you have $200K saved today with 25 years until retirement, you need $519K to Coast FIRE—your investments will grow to $2M on their own. Use "Combined" mode for shared finances, or "Side-by-Side" to see individual contributions.
Combine for accuracy. Even with separate bank accounts, your expenses are shared. Calculating separately double-counts housing, utilities, and insurance. You'd both save for 100% of rent when you only need 50% each. Separate accounts ≠ separate financial goals.
That's completely normal. Our calculator shows contribution percentages so you can see the breakdown. The lower-saving partner's income still reduces future savings burden—every dollar they earn is a dollar the higher-saver doesn't need to contribute. Use "Side-by-Side" view to track individual progress toward the shared goal.
Use the earlier target date. If Partner A wants to retire at 55 and Partner B at 60, calculate for 55. When Partner A coasts, Partner B has options: keep working (boost the nest egg), switch to part-time work, or coast alongside Partner A. The earlier date ensures you're both prepared, even if plans change.
Yes, but in a separate step. A pension paying $20K/year reduces your required nest egg by $500K (using the 4% rule). That's huge. Use our With Pension Calculator to factor in Social Security estimates, employer pensions, and government benefits.
"It's not that I don't want to work hard—I just want to work hard for myself."
May you reach the shore soon 🌅