What is a realistic FIRE number?

Between $1 million and $2.5 million for a household that spends $40,000 to $100,000 a year. Your FIRE number is 25 times what you spend in a year, so start from your own spending.

• $40,000 a year: $1,000,000
• $60,000 a year: $1,500,000
• $81,905 a year: about $2,048,000
• $100,000 a year: $2,500,000

The $81,905 line is what the average U.S. household (a “consumer unit” in the survey) spent in 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

These numbers use the 4% rule, which was built around a 30-year retirement. If you plan to stop working at 50 or earlier, plan for a lower rate. Morningstar estimates 3.3% for a 40-year retirement. At 3.3%, $60,000 a year takes about $1,818,000.

If some income will keep coming in, you need less. Each $10,000 a year from a pension, rent or part-time work takes $250,000 off at 4%. Count only invested money toward the target, and leave out your home and your emergency fund.

Find yours, and how many years it will take, with the FIRE calculator.