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FIRE/RETIRE ABROAD CALCULATOR

Do you need millions to retire abroad?

Project your financial independence journey, tailored for the unique aspects of living abroad.

This comprehensive FIRE calculator helps you estimate your savings needs by factoring in salary growth, inflation, multiple investment accounts (including Roth IRA limits), and your desired withdrawal rate. We believe it's one of the most complete retirement calculators available, especially for planning an international retirement!

Retirement Details

A Country's Cost of Living (Single Person COL + Monthly Rent) will determine the Annual Expenses below.

Annual income in retirement from sources other than withdrawals (e.g., side hustles, rentals). Reduces required savings.

Your 'Annual Expenses' (minus 'Post-Retirement Income') will be adjusted for inflation to calculate your FIRE Number (target savings goal). The 'Withdrawal Rate' from savings/investment also affects this target.

Income and Expenses

Auto-calculated: (Income After Taxes) - Expenses. Contribution fields below default based on this (Roth prioritized), but can be edited freely.

401(k) / Similar Plan

Note: Your contribution percentage is typically based on your gross (pre-tax) income. Ensure the "Income (After Tax)" value entered above already accounts for taxes AND any pre-tax 401(k) deductions.

Roth IRA

Brokerage Account

Other Investments

Understanding Your Projection

This tool projects how your savings might grow over time based on the inputs you provide. It simulates growth year-by-year until your target retirement age, considering contributions and investment returns for each account type (401k/Similar, Roth IRA, Brokerage, Other).

The **FIRE Number** (Financial Independence, Retire Early) is the estimated total savings you need to live off your investments. It's calculated based on your desired spending in retirement and how much you plan to withdraw each year.

Key Calculations:

  • Target Expenses in Retirement: Your 'Annual Expenses' input (desired spending in today's dollars) is inflated year-by-year using the 'Inflation Rate' to estimate your actual spending needs at your target retirement age.
  • Passive Income Impact: The 'Passive Income' you enter (also assumed to grow with inflation) is subtracted from your inflated 'Annual Expenses' to determine the net amount your savings need to cover each year in retirement.
  • FIRE Number (Required Savings): `(Inflated Annual Expenses - Inflated Passive Income) / (Withdrawal Rate / 100)`. This is the total savings needed to support your net expenses using your chosen withdrawal rate. Passive income reduces this target number.
  • Yearly Growth Simulation:
    • Your 'Income (After Tax)' increases annually based on the 'Salary Increase %'.
    • Your 'Current Annual Expenses' also increase annually based on the 'Inflation Rate %'.
    • The difference between your income and expenses each year determines your available disposable income for savings.
    • 401k contributions (employee % + employer match) are calculated based on that year's income (these are assumed pre-tax/payroll deductions and aren't limited by the calculated disposable income).
    • Roth, Brokerage, and Other Investment contributions attempt to use the amounts specified in the form, but are **capped** each year by the actual disposable income available after accounting for inflated expenses. If inflated expenses rise significantly, these contributions may be reduced in the projection.
    • Each account balance grows based on its 'Annual Return %', with contributions added after applying the return for the year.

The chart displays the projected balance of each account type and your total savings over time. The **red dashed line (FIRE Goal)** represents the calculated FIRE Number. If your 'Total Savings' line crosses the FIRE Goal line before your target retirement age, you might reach financial independence earlier than planned.

Important Notes on Early Withdrawals:
  • Rule of 55 (401k/403b): If you plan to retire before age 59½, be aware of potential early withdrawal penalties. However, the IRS "Rule of 55" may allow penalty-free withdrawals from your *current* employer's 401(k) or 403(b) plan if you leave that job in or after the year you turn 55. This rule has specific conditions and doesn't apply to IRAs or previous employers' plans.
  • Roth IRA: You can generally withdraw your direct *contributions* to a Roth IRA tax-free and penalty-free at any time, for any reason. However, withdrawing *earnings* before age 59½ and before the account has been open for 5 years typically incurs taxes and a 10% penalty, though exceptions exist (e.g., first-time home purchase).

Always research the specific rules and consult a professional regarding your situation.

Disclaimer: This is a simplified model. It assumes constant rates, ignores taxes on growth/withdrawals (except for assuming after-tax income input and the Roth contribution withdrawal rules mentioned above), doesn't account for investment fees, contribution limit changes, or unexpected life events. Use this as a guide and consult a financial professional for personalized advice.