Coast FIRE Calculator for Freelancers
Estimate your Coast FIRE number with freelancer-friendly defaults for variable income and inconsistent savings. Adjust spending and contributions and see your coast target and progress update instantly.
Freelancing can feel like two lives at once: freedom and autonomy on one hand, unpredictable cashflow on the other. When income varies month to month, it’s hard to set a “perfect” savings rate, and retirement planning often becomes something you revisit only when a big client arrives—or disappears. Coast FIRE is a powerful framework for freelancers because it reduces pressure: you focus on building a strong invested base early, then let compounding carry you toward retirement while you prioritize stable, sustainable work. The trick is planning with averages and buffers. Use a conservative baseline for monthly contributions (what you can save in an average month after taxes and business expenses), and keep an emergency fund so you don’t have to sell investments during a slow season. This calculator helps you estimate how much you need invested today to coast to your target retirement age, given your expected retirement spending. Start with the defaults, then stress-test: lower contribution months, a more conservative withdrawal rate, or a slightly later retirement age. You’re aiming for a plan that still works even when clients, rates, and life costs change—because they will.
Need More Precision?
This calculator is great for a quick check, but real life is more complex. If you want to track your net worth, manage multiple currencies, and simulate detailed retirement scenarios with changing variables over time, try our dedicated app.
Download Asset Prism for FreeFrequently Asked Questions
How do I model variable income in this calculator?
Use “Monthly Contribution” as a conservative average you can invest reliably. Treat high-income months as bonus contributions rather than increasing your baseline.
Should I include business expenses in annual spending?
If those expenses are part of your ongoing lifestyle or required for work in retirement, include them. Otherwise, separate business expenses from personal spending and keep the retirement spending number focused on your lifestyle.
How should freelancers handle taxes (quarterly payments)?
Assume a conservative tax rate and build quarterly payments into your cash buffer. Use after-tax contributions as your “Monthly Contribution” so the plan reflects what you can truly invest.
What’s a conservative way to plan Coast FIRE with uncertainty?
Lower your growth assumptions, use a lower withdrawal rate, and keep a larger emergency fund. The more variability in income, the more valuable conservative inputs become.