Coast FIRE Calculator: Married
Planning for Coast FIRE as a married couple comes with unique considerations that generic calculators often miss. Your situation affects everything from your FI number (we've pre-filled a typical estimate of $55k/year in expenses) to your realistic savings capacity ($1500/month is common for this scenario). Our calculator lets you adjust these defaults to match your specific reality.
Why This Matters
Married couples have unique advantages for Coast FIRE: two potential incomes, shared expenses (housing, utilities, insurance), and the ability to take turns with career risks. If one spouse has a stable job while the other pursues entrepreneurship or takes time off, you can accelerate toward financial independence while maintaining security. Coordination is key - ensure you're aligned on goals, spending, and timeline. Some couples find that "playing defense" (one spouse optimizing for stability, one for growth) works well.
Key Considerations for Your Situation
Alignment on financial goals is essential. Have explicit conversations about your Coast FIRE timeline, acceptable lifestyle during the accumulation phase, and what "coasting" means to each of you. Couples where both partners buy into the goal reach it faster and with less friction.
Coordinate your retirement account strategies. Max both 401ks if possible ($46,000 combined). Consider which accounts should be Roth vs Traditional based on your combined tax situation. If one spouse has better 401k fund options, prioritize that account.
Consider the "playing defense" strategy: one spouse optimizes for stability and benefits (healthcare, steady income), while the other pursues higher-risk opportunities (entrepreneurship, career pivots, salary negotiations). This provides both security and upside potential.
Your combined FI number is higher than a single person's, but your combined earning potential and shared expenses often more than compensate. Many married couples find Coast FIRE more achievable together than it would be individually.
Married Couple Financial Strategies
Spousal IRA: even if one spouse doesn't work, they can contribute $7,000/year to an IRA using the working spouse's income. This doubles your tax-advantaged space.
Consider "playing defense": one spouse optimizes for stability (secure job, good benefits), while the other takes calculated risks (entrepreneurship, career changes, negotiations).
Coordinate Social Security: the higher earner should typically delay claiming to age 70, maximizing the survivor benefit that the remaining spouse will receive.
Health insurance optimization: compare employer plans annually. Sometimes one spouse's employer offers far better coverage. Factor this into job decisions.
Healthcare for Married Couples
Spousal coverage strategy: if one spouse has employer insurance, the other can pursue Coast FIRE while maintaining coverage. This flexibility is invaluable.
ACA family plans cover both spouses. At combined income under $129k (family of 2), you'll likely qualify for subsidies.
Coordinate HSAs: if one spouse has an HDHP and one has traditional coverage, only the HDHP spouse can contribute to HSA. Maximize this if possible.
COBRA covers both spouses for 18 months after leaving employment - long enough to establish ACA coverage or find part-time work with benefits.
Healthcare costs vary significantly by state, age, and family size. Factor in premium subsidies, deductibles, and out-of-pocket maximums when planning your Coast FIRE budget.
The Psychology of Couple Coast FIRE
Alignment is everything: if one partner wants Coast FIRE and the other wants lifestyle, conflict is inevitable. Have explicit conversations about goals, timeline, and "enough."
Different risk tolerances are normal: one partner may be ready to coast while the other wants more cushion. Find a number you both feel comfortable with.
Retirement together requires planning: suddenly spending 24/7 together after decades of separate work lives is an adjustment. Discuss expectations for space, activities, and purpose.
"One more year" becomes "we disagree": if partners have different coast dates in mind, the later date usually wins. Address this before resentment builds.
How Coast FIRE Works
Compound Growth
Your investments grow exponentially over time. Einstein called compound interest the 8th wonder of the world.
The Coast Strategy
Once you hit your Coast number, you never need to save for retirement again. Work for passion, not survival.
Freedom Date
Discover when you can switch to part-time work or pursue your dreams without financial anxiety.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I achieve Coast FIRE as a married couple?
Yes - Coast FIRE is achievable in any situation with the right strategy. Married households have unique challenges, but many people in your exact situation have reached financial independence. The path may look different (different timeline, different strategies, different FI number), but the destination is the same. Our calculator helps you plan around the specific factors that affect your situation.
What's a realistic savings rate as a married couple?
We've pre-filled $1500/month based on typical married situations, but this varies widely. Generally, aim for 15-25% of your income if possible, adjusting for your specific circumstances. Some months you may save more, some less - consistency over time matters more than hitting an exact percentage every month. Use our calculator to see how different savings rates affect your timeline.
How much should I budget for annual expenses as a married couple?
We've estimated $55k/year for married households, which is typical for this situation. This number directly determines your FI number (Annual Expenses ÷ 0.04 = FI Number). The lower your spending, the lower your Coast FIRE target. Track your actual spending for a few months to get a realistic number - many people are surprised (in either direction) by their true expenses.
What's the best Coast FIRE strategy as a married couple?
The fundamentals remain the same regardless of situation: 1) Maximize the gap between income and expenses, 2) Invest consistently in low-cost index funds, 3) Take full advantage of available tax-advantaged accounts, and 4) Stay the course through market volatility. What differs as a married couple are the specific tactics - which accounts to prioritize, how much emergency fund to keep, what risks you can take, and what timeline is realistic.
Your Next Steps
Have an explicit conversation with your spouse about Coast FIRE goals and timeline.
Audit both retirement accounts - are you maximizing employer matches and coordinating strategy?
Consider whether "playing defense" (one stable, one growth-oriented career) could work for your household.
Run the calculator with both combined numbers and individual scenarios to understand the dynamics.
Related Tools & Resources
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Use Calculator NowSources
- [1]Retirement Savings: Choosing a Withdrawal Rate That Is Sustainable(1998)
- [2]Determining Withdrawal Rates Using Historical Data(1994)
- [3]Historical Returns on Stocks, Bonds and Bills
- [4]Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook
- [5]Safe Withdrawal Rate Series
- [6]Healthcare.gov Marketplace
- [7]TSP.gov - Thrift Savings Plan
- [8]IRS Publication 571