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Easy Equities lets you invest from R1 — perfect for building toward Coast FIRE.
What Is Coast FIRE?
Coast FIRE is a milestone on the path to full FIRE. You have hit Coast FIRE when you have saved enough that — even if you never invest another cent — your existing portfolio will grow to your full FIRE number by your target retirement age. At that point, you can "coast": keep earning just enough to cover your current expenses without needing to save anything extra for retirement.
Coast FIRE vs Full FIRE
Full FIRE means you can retire immediately and live entirely off investment returns. Coast FIRE means you can stop investing for retirement, but you still need to work (or earn income) to cover your day-to-day expenses until your target retirement age. Coast FIRE is a powerful intermediate milestone because it completely removes the pressure of investing for retirement — you only need to earn enough to live on.
Why Coast FIRE Matters for South Africans
Many South Africans reach a point where their Retirement Annuity (RA) and Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA) have grown significantly — especially after years of compounding. Coast FIRE gives you a way to measure whether you have already "won" the retirement saving game, even if full financial independence is still years away.
Frequently Asked Questions
Coasting means you stop making new retirement investments. Your existing portfolio grows on its own through compound interest until it reaches your FIRE number at your target retirement age. You still work, but only to cover current expenses — not to save for retirement.
Yes — especially for younger investors. Hitting Coast FIRE in your 30s or 40s removes enormous financial pressure. You can take lower-paying but more fulfilling work, reduce working hours, or simply stress less about saving.
South African equity (JSE All Share) has historically returned 10–14% nominally. Use 8–10% for a reasonable estimate. More conservative investors use 6–7% to account for possible lower future returns.