FIRE & "Super Bridge" Early Retirement
Work out how much you might need to retire early, including savings to cover the years before you can use your super.
How this tool works
Reviewed 6 September 2026. Australian superannuation preservation age (60), 0% tax-free pension phase, and Yearly withdrawal rate (%) frameworks.
Calculation outline
- Calculates the duration of the Australian "Super Bridge" between early retirement age and preservation age 60.
- Determines the finite savings for the years before super capital required to sustain 100% of living expenses until super provides at 60, factoring in real returns and sequence of returns risk buffer.
- Simulates inside-super balance compounding untouched without work contributions from retirement until age 60.
- Evaluates perpetual capital adequacy when super transitions to the 0% tax-free retirement pension phase at age 60.
- Computes Full FIRE, CoastFIRE, LeanFIRE (75% expenses), and BaristaFIRE (50% expenses) milestone targets.
Worked example
Example: Retiring at age 48 with $65,000 annual living expenses requires a 12-year Super Bridge until preservation age 60. Outside super, ~$620,000 in accessible investments funds the bridge. Meanwhile, an existing super balance of $250,000 compounds untouched at 6.5% real return for 12 years to reach ~$530,000 by age 60, bridging directly into a tax-free pension.
Limits
- Assumes super preservation age remains at 60 (legislated for Australians born after 1 July 1964).
- Projections use real (inflation-adjusted) investment returns; actual market returns fluctuate year-to-year.
Sources
- ATO Preservation age and accessing your super
- APRA Superannuation statistics and long-term returns
- ASFA Retirement Standard
This tool provides general information and illustrative estimates only. It does not consider your objectives, financial situation or needs and is not personal financial, tax or legal advice.