CoastFIRE for Military Members
By Minh · Updated 2026-04-25 · 5 min read
Military Members have a specific CoastFIRE setup: typical incomes around $80,000, access to pension benefits, and primary tax-advantaged accounts in the TSP and military pension family. This guide walks through what those numbers look like and how the pension changes the math.
Active-duty military have the strongest CoastFIRE setup: a vested pension after 20 years, plus tax-advantaged TSP, plus the BAH/BAS that effectively boost your savings rate.
CoastFIRE at Age 35 for a Typical Military Member
$277,653
Based on $80,000 income, 60% replacement ratio, 5% real return
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CoastFIRE Numbers by Age for Military Members
| Age | Years to 65 | CoastFIRE Today |
|---|
| 25 |
40 |
$170,455 |
| 30 |
35 |
$217,548 |
| 35 |
30 |
$277,653 |
| 40 |
25 |
$354,363 |
| 45 |
20 |
$452,267 |
| 50 |
15 |
$577,221 |
The table assumes your retirement spending is 60% of your current income (~$48,000/yr) and a 5% real return on investments.
Account Strategy for Military Members
Military Members typically have access to TSP and military pension. Here's the priority order most fee-only planners recommend:
- Employer match first — contribute enough to capture every match dollar. This is a guaranteed return that beats every other investment.
- Understand your pension vesting schedule — many pensions require 5–10 years of service before you're vested. Leaving early can forfeit huge amounts.
- Max a Roth IRA if eligible ($7,000/yr in 2026; $8,000 if 50+). Income limits: phase out at $150–165k single / $236–246k MFJ in 2026.
- Max your primary workplace plan ($23,500 in 2026 for TSP; $31,000 if 50+).
- HSA if eligible ($4,300 single / $8,550 family in 2026) — best tax-advantaged account in existence.
- Brokerage for everything beyond that — taxable, but flexible, no contribution limits, and LTCG rates (15% for most) are friendlier than ordinary income.
The Pension Math
A pension is mathematically equivalent to a bond paying you a guaranteed amount for life. To estimate its "lump sum equivalent":
Lump sum value ≈ annual pension × 25 (4% rule)
Example: a $36,000/year pension at retirement = a $900,000 portfolio equivalent.
That's why pension-eligible workers can hit CoastFIRE much earlier — half (or more) of your retirement income is already "saved" through your job. Run the calculator's pension toggle to see your specific number.
What Could Go Wrong
- Job change before vesting — losing your pension without vesting is the most expensive mistake on this page.
- Lifestyle inflation as income grows — a $30k raise can become $30k of extra spending if you're not intentional.
- Disability or income loss — own-occupation disability insurance is non-negotiable for military members who depend on a specific skillset.
- Sequence-of-returns risk in early retirement — a 30% drop in year 1 of retirement can permanently impair your portfolio if you don't have a cash buffer.
Build Your CoastFIRE Plan in the Calculator →
Frequently Asked Questions
What's a realistic CoastFIRE number for military members?
At a typical income of $80,000 and assuming 60% income replacement in retirement, the CoastFIRE number for a 35-year-old is approximately $277,653. The full table above shows other ages.
Should military members prioritize TSP and or Roth IRA?
Capture employer match first (free money), then prioritize Roth IRA at lower incomes (under $100k single / $200k MFJ) for tax-free growth. Above those incomes, the deduction in a Traditional TSP usually wins. Mega-backdoor Roth (if available) is the gold-standard top-up.
How much does my pension change my CoastFIRE number?
A lot. Every $1,000/year of expected pension income lowers your portfolio target by about $25,000 (4% rule). A typical $30,000/yr pension reduces your CoastFIRE number by roughly $750,000.
What's the biggest CoastFIRE mistake for military members?
Active-duty military have the strongest CoastFIRE setup: a vested pension after 20 years, plus tax-advantaged TSP, plus the BAH/BAS that effectively boost your savings rate.