Calculator Inputs
Understanding Your Results
How Pension Reduces Your Target
Your pension value is subtracted from your traditional Coast FIRE number because it will provide guaranteed income in retirement. For example, a $30,000 annual pension is equivalent to having $750,000 saved (using the 4% rule). This means you need $750,000 less in personal savings. The larger your pension, the lower your Coast FIRE target becomes.
Sensitivity to Assumptions
Your results depend heavily on investment return and inflation assumptions. A 1% change in return rate can shift your Coast FIRE number by 15-20%. Similarly, higher inflation increases your future expenses, raising your target. Use conservative estimates (6% return, 3% inflation) for a safety margin. Test different scenarios to understand the range of possible outcomes.
Consider Pension Risks
While pensions provide valuable retirement income, they carry risks. DB pensions depend on employer solvency and can be reduced in bankruptcy. 401(k) values fluctuate with market performance. Job changes may forfeit unvested pension benefits. Don't rely solely on pension income—maintain personal savings as a buffer. Consider these risks when making career decisions that affect your pension.
What is Coast FIRE with Pension?
Real-World Examples
See how different pension scenarios affect Coast FIRE targets for people at various life stages:
Example 1: Tech Worker with 401(k)
Sarah, 40, is a senior product manager at a tech company in San Francisco earning $140,000 annually. Single and living in a rent-controlled apartment, she has been maximizing her 401(k) contributions since age 25. With a healthy 401(k) balance and employer matching, she wants to know if she can coast to retirement.
Calculation Steps
- Current Age: 40, Retirement Age: 65 (25 years)
- Current Savings: $100,000, Annual Expenses: $50,000
- 401(k) Balance: $150,000, Annual Contribution: $10,000
- Investment Return: 7%, Inflation: 3%
Example 2: Government Employee with DB Pension
Mike, 45, is a city fire captain in Seattle with 20 years of service. Married with two teenagers, he earns $90,000 annually and has a defined benefit pension that will pay $30,000 per year at retirement. He's wondering when he can stop aggressively saving and enjoy more of his current income.
Calculation Steps
- Current Age: 45, Retirement Age: 62 (17 years)
- Current Savings: $200,000, Annual Expenses: $60,000
- DB Pension: $30,000/year at retirement
- Investment Return: 6%, Inflation: 2.5%
Example 3: Executive with Both Pension Types
Lisa, 50, is a VP of Operations at a Fortune 500 company in Dallas earning $160,000 annually. Divorced with grown children, she has a substantial 401(k) from her current employer plus a small DB pension from 10 years at a previous company. She's evaluating her retirement readiness.
Calculation Steps
- Current Age: 50, Retirement Age: 65 (15 years)
- Current Savings: $400,000, Annual Expenses: $80,000
- 401(k) Balance: $300,000, Annual Contribution: $15,000
- DB Pension: $15,000/year at retirement
- Investment Return: 7%, Inflation: 3%
How to Use This Calculator
Follow these simple steps to calculate your Coast FIRE number with pension included:
Enter Basic Information
Input your current age, savings, annual expenses, and planned retirement age. These form the foundation of your Coast FIRE calculation.
Select Pension Type
Choose your pension type: 401(k) only, DB Pension only, both, or none. The calculator will dynamically show relevant input fields based on your selection.
Input Pension Details
For 401(k), enter your current balance and annual contribution. For DB Pension, enter your expected annual pension payment at retirement. If you have both, fill in all fields.
Calculate Your Number
Click the Calculate button to see your Coast FIRE target with pension included. The calculator will show you how much pension reduces your savings needs.
Review Results and Chart
Analyze your results with the visual comparison chart. See the difference between Coast FIRE with and without pension, and understand your current progress toward the goal.
Why Consider Pension in Coast FIRE Planning?
Including pension income in your Coast FIRE calculations provides three key advantages:
More Accurate Goals
Avoid over-saving by accounting for guaranteed pension income. Many traditional Coast FIRE calculators ignore pensions, leading to unnecessarily high savings targets that delay your financial freedom.
Earlier Coast Point
Pension income can reduce your required savings by hundreds of thousands of dollars, allowing you to reach Coast FIRE years earlier than you thought possible. This means more career flexibility sooner.
Better Career Decisions
Evaluate the true impact of job changes on your retirement timeline. Understanding your pension's value helps you make informed decisions about staying with an employer or pursuing new opportunities.
Understanding Calculator Inputs
Here's what each input parameter means and how it affects your calculation:
Pension Type
The type of pension plan you have: 401(k) (defined contribution), DB Pension (defined benefit), both, or none.
401(k) Balance
Your current 401(k) account balance. This will grow with investment returns and future contributions until retirement.
Annual 401(k) Contribution
The amount you contribute to your 401(k) each year, including employer match. This continues until you reach Coast FIRE.
Annual DB Pension
The yearly pension payment you expect to receive at retirement. For DB pensions, this is typically a fixed amount based on years of service and salary.
Investment Return
Expected annual return on your investments. Historical stock market average is around 7% after inflation.
Inflation Rate
Expected annual inflation rate. Historical US average is around 3%. This adjusts your future expenses.
How the Calculation Works
Understanding the math behind Coast FIRE with pension helps you make informed decisions.
Base Coast FIRE Formula
This calculates how much you need today for your savings to grow to your retirement target. The 25x multiplier comes from the 4% withdrawal rule.
Coast FIRE Number = (Annual Expenses × 25) ÷ (1 + Return Rate)^Years
Example: If you need $1,000,000 at retirement in 30 years with 7% returns: $1,000,000 ÷ (1.07)^30 = $131,367
Pension Value Calculation
For 401(k), we calculate the future value of your current balance plus the future value of ongoing contributions using the annuity formula.
401(k) Value = Current Balance × (1 + Return)^Years + Annual Contribution × ((1 + Return)^Years - 1) ÷ Return
Example: $150,000 balance + $10,000/year for 25 years at 7% = $1,420,000
DB Pension Value
For defined benefit pensions, we convert the annual payment to a lump sum equivalent using the 4% rule (25x multiplier).
DB Pension Value = Annual Pension × 25
Example: $30,000 annual pension = $750,000 equivalent value
Final Coast FIRE with Pension
Subtract your pension value from the base Coast FIRE number. This is how much you need in personal savings, since pension covers the rest.
Coast FIRE with Pension = Base Coast FIRE Number - Total Pension Value
Example: $2,653,000 base target - $1,420,000 pension = $1,233,000 needed
Frequently Asked Questions
This calculator supports three types of pensions: 401(k) or similar defined contribution plans (where you contribute and the balance grows with investments), defined benefit (DB) pensions (where you receive a fixed annual payment in retirement), and combinations of both. If you have no pension, select 'None' to calculate traditional Coast FIRE.
The calculator uses the compound interest formula to project your 401(k) growth. It takes your current balance, multiplies it by (1 + return rate)^years, then adds the future value of your ongoing contributions using the annuity formula. For example, $150,000 growing at 7% for 25 years, plus $10,000 annual contributions, equals approximately $1,420,000.
The calculator estimates DB pension value using the 4% rule: annual pension × 25. This assumes your pension is equivalent to a lump sum that could generate the same annual income. However, actual pension values vary based on factors like cost-of-living adjustments, survivor benefits, and pension plan health. Use this as a reasonable estimate, not an exact figure.
You can include Social Security as a DB pension if you want a more complete picture. However, we recommend being conservative with Social Security estimates due to potential future policy changes. Use the Social Security Administration's online calculator to estimate your benefit, then enter it as annual pension income. Consider using only 75-80% of the estimated amount as a safety margin.
If you have no employer retirement plan, select 'None' as your pension type. The calculator will then compute your traditional Coast FIRE number based solely on your personal savings and investment returns. You can also explore opening an IRA (Individual Retirement Account) to build tax-advantaged retirement savings independently.
Pension income significantly accelerates your path to Coast FIRE by reducing the amount you need to save personally. For example, a $30,000 annual pension eliminates the need for $750,000 in savings (using the 4% rule). This means you can reach Coast FIRE years earlier, giving you career flexibility sooner. The larger your pension, the more dramatic the timeline reduction.
Job changes can significantly impact your pension. For 401(k) plans, you typically keep your vested balance when you leave, though you may lose unvested employer contributions. For DB pensions, you may forfeit benefits if you leave before vesting, or receive reduced benefits if you leave early. Before changing jobs, use this calculator to compare your current pension value against potential salary increases or other benefits at a new employer.