Articles tagged with “fire-2026”
18 articles
2027 Contribution Limits: What the Projections Say Before the IRS Confirms
Projected 2027 limits: 401(k) at $25,000 or $25,500, IRA flat at $7,500, super catch-up to $11,750. Why two of those are still borderline and what to do before year-end.
The Roth Catch-Up Mandate Is Live: What High Earners Over 50 Lost in 2026
From January 2026, catch-up contributions must be Roth if your prior-year FICA wages topped $150,000. What it costs, who is exempt, and the plan gap that can block you entirely.
FIRE for Teachers: How Your Pension, 403(b), and 457(b) Work Together (2026 Guide)
Teachers have the most powerful FIRE toolkit of any profession: a pension that reduces your FIRE number by $375K–$750K, a 403(b) for tax-deferred growth, and a 457(b) with no early withdrawal penalty. Here's how to use all three.
Gen Z FIRE 2026: The Complete Early Retirement Guide for Ages 22–35
53% of Gen Z identifies with FIRE. Here's the complete action guide: FIRE numbers by income, the micro-retirement strategy, how to use time as your biggest advantage, and why Gen Z has a structural edge over every prior generation.
Women's FIRE 2026: Why Your FIRE Number Is 15–20% Higher (And How to Close the Gap)
Women need a FIRE number 15–20% higher than men due to the gender pay gap, career interruptions, longer life expectancy, and lower Social Security benefits. Here's the math and the strategy to close it.
Family FIRE: How Much Does Financial Independence Cost With Kids? (2026 Guide)
Having kids adds $17,500–$37,000/year to your FIRE expenses and $437,500–$925,000 to your required portfolio. Here's the complete family FIRE math — including the Trump Account opportunity launching July 4, 2026 — and the fastest paths to financial independence with children.
Lean FIRE Calculator: Can You Retire on Less Than $1 Million?
Lean FIRE means retiring on $25,000–$40,000/year — often on less than $1 million invested. Calculate your Lean FIRE number by spending level, see realistic timelines, and learn how the 2026 ACA landscape makes healthcare nearly free at Lean FIRE income levels.
Fat FIRE Calculator: How Much Do You Need for a Luxury Early Retirement?
Fat FIRE lets you retire early AND keep your lifestyle. Calculate your exact Fat FIRE number by spending tier, see how long it takes by income, and discover why $3–5M is the real target — not $1M.
Coast FIRE for High Earners in the AI Age: Hit Your Number Before the Market Disrupts Yours
37% of companies expect AI to replace jobs by end of 2026. For high-income tech and finance workers, reaching Coast FIRE now is the ultimate career insurance policy — here's the math.
Pay Off Mortgage or Invest? The FIRE Math at 6.38% (2026 Guide)
30-year mortgage rates hit 6.38% in June 2026. Here's the complete FIRE investor's framework — the breakeven math, Coast FIRE analysis, and the hybrid approach that wins in most scenarios.
Mini-Retirement Planning: The FIRE Framework for Career Sabbaticals (2026 Guide)
Mini-retirements are replacing traditional FIRE for millions of workers. Here's the exact financial framework to plan, fund, and survive a 3–12 month sabbatical without wrecking your FIRE timeline.
Planning FIRE Without Social Security: The Conservative Approach for 2026
The SSA trust fund now depletes in 2032 — one year sooner than projected. DOGE cut 7,000+ SSA employees. Here's how FIRE investors should model Social Security in 2026 and beyond.
Dynamic Withdrawal Strategies: Spend More in Good Years, Cut Back in Downturns
Fixed 4% rule too rigid? Dynamic withdrawal strategies let FIRE retirees spend more in bull markets and cut back in downturns — boosting lifetime income by 10-25%.
FIRE for the Self-Employed: How Freelancers & Entrepreneurs Retire Early (2026 Guide)
Self-employed FIRE: Solo 401k ($72K limit), SEP IRA, SE tax deductions, and irregular income systems for freelancers and entrepreneurs to retire early in 2026.
Slow FIRE Explained: The Low-Stress Path to Financial Independence
Slow FIRE targets 20-30% savings and FI by your early 50s — no extreme frugality required. The complete 2026 guide to low-stress financial independence.
Chubby FIRE: How Much Do You Need for Comfortable Early Retirement in 2026?
Chubby FIRE targets $80K–$150K/year in retirement spending — requiring a $2M–$4M portfolio. Here's the exact Chubby FIRE number by state, the healthcare math, and why it's the fastest-growing FIRE variant in 2026.
Geographic Arbitrage FIRE: How Living Abroad Can Cut Your FIRE Number in Half
Geographic arbitrage is FIRE's most powerful shortcut: earn in USD, live where $2,000/month buys a better life than $5,000 in the US. Complete 2026 guide to geoarb FIRE math, country comparisons, expat tax strategy (FEIE, FTC), and healthcare.
Camp FIRE Explained: The Cycling Mini-Retirement Strategy for 2026
Camp FIRE is the FIRE movement's breakout 2026 trend: work intensely for 2-3 years, take a 1-year mini-retirement, then repeat. Here's the math, who it's for, and how to plan it financially.