Financial Independence Calculator
Your FIRE number, years to financial independence, and savings rate sensitivity — built for Australian investors.
Your numbers
Your FIRE number
$1,500,000
$60,000 ÷ 4% withdrawal rate
Years to financial independence
25 years
Financial independence at age 55
Portfolio at FI: $1,536,352
Safe annual draw
$60,000
at 4% SWR
Monthly income
$5,000
from investments
Savings rate sensitivity
How changing your annual savings affects your timeline to FI.
| Annual savings | Monthly savings | Years to FI | Age at FI |
|---|---|---|---|
| $10,000 | $833 | 32 | 62 |
| $15,000 | $1,250 | 28 | 58 |
| $20,000(current) | $1,667 | 25 | 55 |
| $25,000 | $2,083 | 23 | 53 |
| $30,000 | $2,500 | 21 | 51 |
| $40,000 | $3,333 | 18 | 48 |
This calculator uses the 4% safe withdrawal rate rule, based on historical portfolio research (the "Trinity Study"). Past returns do not guarantee future performance. Australia's superannuation system, tax treatment of investment income, and franking credits are not fully modelled here. General information only — not financial advice. Consult a licensed financial adviser for personal retirement planning. Visit ASIC MoneySmart for independent guidance.
Frequently asked questions
What is the FIRE number and how is it calculated?
Your FIRE number is the investment portfolio size that can sustain your living expenses indefinitely. The standard method uses the 4% rule: FIRE number = annual expenses ÷ 0.04. At 4%, historical data suggests a 30-year portfolio survival rate above 95% for a diversified stock/bond portfolio. For a 50-year retirement, many Australian FIRE seekers use 3.5% or 3% as a more conservative withdrawal rate.
Should I include superannuation in my FIRE number?
Superannuation is accessible from age 60 (preservation age for most Australians). If you plan to retire before 60, you'll need a non-super portfolio to bridge the gap. Many FIRE planners in Australia maintain two portfolios: a non-super brokerage account for early retirement, and super for post-60 income. This calculator lets you choose whether to include super.
What investment return rate should I use?
The default of 7% per year is a reasonable inflation-adjusted real return assumption for a diversified global equity portfolio over the long term (based on historical data from the MSCI World index and ASX 200). For a more conservative estimate, use 5–6%. For a more aggressive estimate (all equities, long time horizon), some use 8–9%. This is not financial advice — the future may differ from history.
What is a realistic savings rate for FIRE in Australia?
Savings rate is the single most powerful variable in your FIRE timeline. At a 10% savings rate, FI typically takes 40+ years. At 25%, around 32 years. At 50%, around 17 years. At 70%, around 8 years. Australian HENRYs (High Earners, Not Rich Yet) often find that optimising tax (salary sacrifice, MLS, deductions) is the fastest way to increase effective savings rate without changing lifestyle.