Chubby FIRE Calculator
Chubby FIRE is the comfortable middle path — a retirement budget noticeably above standard FIRE, without needing the full Fat FIRE portfolio. Set your cushion factor to define your number.
Your Numbers
Chubby FIRE spending as % of current expenses. 125% is the most common benchmark.
What is Chubby FIRE?
Chubby FIRE sits between standard FIRE and Fat FIRE. Where standard FIRE replaces your current spending exactly, Chubby FIRE targets 110–135% — enough to cover travel, dining out, home improvements, and the higher spending that commonly happens in the early years of retirement, without requiring the multi-million-dollar portfolio of Fat FIRE.
The cushion factor in this calculator lets you set how much above standard you're targeting. A 125% cushion means your retirement budget is 25% larger than today's spending. The calculator shows both your Chubby FIRE number and how much extra that requires above the standard 100% target.
Many people who think they're targeting standard FIRE actually end up with a Chubby FIRE budget once they honestly account for what retirement will look like: more free time leads to more activities and spending, at least in the early years. Planning for Chubby FIRE from the start prevents an uncomfortable gap between expectations and reality.
Use the early retirement calculator to project when you'll reach your Chubby FIRE number, or the savings rate calculator to see how changing your savings rate affects the timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Chubby FIRE?
Chubby FIRE is a retirement strategy that targets spending comfortably above standard FIRE — typically 110–135% of current expenses — without reaching the full scale of Fat FIRE. It's the 'comfortable middle ground': enough cushion for travel, dining out, and minor luxuries, but a smaller required portfolio than Fat FIRE. Many people land here naturally when they do their FIRE planning.
How much do you need for Chubby FIRE?
Using the 4% rule, Chubby FIRE requires 25× your target annual spending. At a 125% spending target, that means 31.25× current expenses. For example, if you currently spend $60,000 per year, your Chubby FIRE spending target is $75,000, and your Chubby FIRE number is $1,875,000. The exact figure scales with your expenses and withdrawal rate.
How is Chubby FIRE different from standard FIRE?
Standard FIRE replaces 100% of your current expenses exactly. Chubby FIRE targets a retirement budget above that baseline — enough for travel, dining out, and the higher discretionary spending that often shows up in the early retirement years. The 125% cushion factor default in this calculator is an illustrative benchmark; there is no universally fixed percentage that defines Chubby FIRE. What matters is setting an honest number that covers the lifestyle you actually plan to live, then calculating the portfolio you need.
What withdrawal rate should I use for Chubby FIRE?
The standard 4% rule works well for Chubby FIRE, especially if you're targeting a 30-year retirement. For very early retirement (before 45), consider 3.5% for added safety. The larger portfolio size compared to standard FIRE does give you slightly more buffer, but sequence-of-returns risk still applies to a 40–50 year retirement horizon.
Is Chubby FIRE the same as 'normal' FIRE?
Not quite. Standard FIRE matches your current lifestyle exactly; Chubby FIRE consciously targets a slightly elevated retirement lifestyle. Many people working toward standard FIRE naturally land in Chubby territory once they account for healthcare costs, increased travel in early retirement, or simply the fact that retirement expenses often run higher than expected in the early years. Planning for Chubby FIRE from the start avoids an uncomfortable budget adjustment later.