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FIRE Calculator (Financial Independence & Retirement Estimator)

AI + Live Data

Projects superannuation growth, Age Pension eligibility, and investment returns year by year for Australians planning financial independence or early retirement.

Free to useNo data storedReal-time dataAI insightsUpdated: March 2026

The FIRE Calculator helps Australians plan early retirement and financial independence. It projects your superannuation and investments growth, estimates Age Pension eligibility, and simulates your year-by-year retirement outcomes against your income goals.

Enter Your Details

Enter Your Details

Age in years (18-75)

The age you wish to stop working and achieve financial independence

$

Include all your Australian super funds

$

Shares, ETFs, managed funds, property (excluding home)

$

How much (before tax) you want to spend per year in retirement

$

Estimate your typical yearly costs

For Age Pension eligibility rules

Real-World Examples

Single Early Retiree

Alex, age 41, wants to retire at 55 with a $1 million portfolio and $50,000 annual income target.

Inputs:

currentAge:41retirementAge:55superBalance:220,000investments:780,000retirementIncomeTarget:50,000includePension:truemaritalStatus:Single
Alex’s super and investments last until age 90, with Age Pension eligibility beginning at 67 reducing portfolio drawdown.

Couple Planning FIRE

Lisa and Sam are both 35 with $150,000 in super each and $250,000 in investments. They’re planning to retire at 60 on $80,000 per year.

Inputs:

currentAge:35retirementAge:60superBalance:300,000investments:250,000retirementIncomeTarget:80,000includePension:truemaritalStatus:Couple
Their assets fund their needs to age 93, but if market returns are lower than projected, they may need to adjust spending or retire later.

Frequently Asked Questions

Glossary

FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early)
A financial strategy focused on amassing enough assets to live off investment returns, achieving work-optional status before the typical retirement age.
Superannuation
A government-mandated retirement savings system in Australia, taxed at concessional rates, with restricted access until preservation age.
Age Pension
Income support payment for eligible Australians over Age Pension age, subject to assets and income tests.
Withdrawal Rate
The percentage of your retirement savings you safely withdraw each year without exhausting your funds (standard: 4%).
Preservation Age
The earliest age at which you can access your super, dependent on your birth year (between 55 and 60).
Inflation Adjustment
Factoring in the rising cost of living to ensure future retirement income maintains purchasing power.
Drawdown
How much you withdraw from your retirement assets each year to cover your spending.

Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates only and should not be relied upon for financial decisions. Interest rates, fees, and policies change frequently. Always verify information with lenders directly. This is general information, not personal financial advice. Consider seeking advice from a licensed mortgage broker or financial advisor.

Last updated: March 2026

How to Use
  1. Enter your current age and target retirement age.
  2. Input your total super balance, investments, and target retirement income.
  3. Select whether to include Age Pension eligibility estimates.
  4. Review the projected super, investment returns, and government benefit eligibility year by year.
  5. Adjust assumptions and view different retirement scenarios.
Key Information
  • Assumes 6.5% super growth, 8% pre-retirement investment growth, and 2.5% inflation (2024-26 benchmarks)
  • Calculates Age Pension eligibility using 2024-25 Australian thresholds, assets and income tests
  • Provides a sustainability check: will your retirement assets last based on desired income?
  • Models year-by-year projections until your selected end age
  • Designed specifically for Australians (rules, tax, and super unique to AU)
Pro Tips
  • Consider diversifying investments to balance risk and return approaching retirement.
  • If retiring early, ensure you have sufficient accessible funds before reaching preservation age (super access rules).
  • Use realistic inflation and growth assumptions. Too high can overestimate outcomes.
  • Check latest Age Pension thresholds annually – they change each July.
Avoid These Mistakes
  • Overestimating long-term investment returns or underestimating inflation.
  • Forgetting to include partner’s assets if applying as a couple.
  • Not accounting for future legislative changes to super, tax, and pension rules.
  • Ignoring health or aged care costs when projecting retirement expenses.
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