Golden Handcuffs Coast FIRE Calculator
Compare leaving now with staying through a specific compensation milestone. The calculator shows the financial difference without deciding which career choice is right for you.
Leave Now vs Wait Inputs
Assets already owned. Do not include unvested compensation.
Target retirement living expenses.
Use the amount supported by your actual compensation, plan or award documents. Do not assume unvested compensation is automatically forfeited.
Do not estimate taxes, bonus withholding, RSU taxes, future stock prices, employer match or pension accrual automatically; enter the net or investable values supported by your plans.
Stock Value Scenarios (-25%, Selected, +25%)FINRA stock compensation & price uncertainty test
The future value of employer stock is uncertain, and award terms determine vesting. FINRA specifically identifies vesting and company-stock risk as issues employees should understand when evaluating stock awards.
What If the Next Job Pays Less?Model monthly cash flow and contributions at a lower-paying role
Other Benefits You Would LoseNon-salary benefits (health coverage, HSA match, childcare, tuition)
Include annual employer contributions to HSA, health premium subsidies, childcare stipends, or tuition reimbursement.
Family health coverage and employer subsidies represent material cash-flow factors when comparing roles. Enter only values supported by your plan.
Vesting, forfeiture and termination rules depend on the specific award or benefit plan. Use your plan documents, award agreement or benefits statement for the amount retained under each scenario.
More Than One Upcoming Milestone
Model up to 4 sequential compensation milestones to compare cumulative compensation, investment balances, and Coast FIRE targets across dates.
| Milestone Date | Months From Today | Cumulative Comp | Modeled Investments | Coast Target | Gap / Surplus | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Upcoming RSU Vest | 3 months | $22,000 | $279,216 | $537,478 | -$258,262 | Below Modeled Coast Target |
| Annual Performance Bonus | 6 months | $42,000 | $306,510 | $543,282 | -$236,772 | Below Modeled Coast Target |
| 401(k) Match 3-Yr Vest | 9 months | $54,000 | $325,883 | $549,149 | -$223,267 | Below Modeled Coast Target |
| Secondary RSU Tranche | 12 months | $79,000 | $358,335 | $555,080 | -$196,745 | Below Modeled Coast Target |
Leave Now vs Wait Trajectory
Show timeline dataCompare modeled Leave Now portfolio, Wait portfolio, and Coast Target across dates
| Timeline Point | Age | Leave Now Balance | Wait Balance | Coast FIRE Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Today | Age 34 | $250,000 | $250,000 | $531,735 |
| Month 1 | Age 34.1 | $250,897 | $252,397 | $533,643 |
| Month 2 | Age 34.2 | $251,797 | $254,802 | $535,557 |
| Month 3 | Age 34.3 | $252,700 | $257,216 | $537,478 |
| Month 4 | Age 34.3 | $253,606 | $259,639 | $539,406 |
| Month 5 | Age 34.4 | $254,516 | $262,070 | $541,341 |
| Milestone (Mo 6) | Age 34.5 | $255,429 | $311,510 | $543,282 |
| Retirement Target | Age 60 | $764,008 | $931,751 | $1,625,000 |
What Counts as Golden Handcuffs?
Golden handcuffs can come from compensation or benefits whose value depends on remaining employed until a future date—for example an equity vest, bonus, retirement-plan vesting milestone or pension-service milestone. The relevant amount is determined by the actual plan or award terms.
Why Coast FIRE Changes the Comparison
Coast FIRE adds a retirement-timeline view to the compensation comparison. Waiting may change the investment balance and future Coast gap, while leaving earlier may remove future compensation or contributions. The calculator models both paths without choosing between them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should unvested RSUs count in my current Coast FIRE investments?
No. Keep compensation that has not yet vested separate from assets you currently own. Add it only to a future scenario in which the award actually vests under the terms you entered.
How do I compare leaving one month before an RSU vest date with leaving after it?
Create both dates as scenarios. Compare them on the same future date using the compensation retained, contributions made and investment balance modeled under each path.
What if I have several RSU and bonus dates close together?
Enter each material milestone separately. The calculator can show the cumulative compensation and Coast FIRE position at each date without assuming the final milestone is preferable.
What if the company share price changes before my RSUs vest?
Use multiple value scenarios rather than one assumed future share price. The result should change with the value you enter; the calculator should not predict the employer's stock price.
Can an employer retirement-plan vesting milestone be part of golden handcuffs?
It can affect the amount retained after leaving when employer-funded benefits are not fully vested. Use the plan's actual vested balance rather than applying a generic vesting schedule.
What if another job would pay much less but still cover my current expenses?
Enter the new take-home pay and contribution amount as a separate scenario. The calculator should show the resulting cash-flow and Coast FIRE projection without judging whether the pay difference is acceptable.
How should I model benefits that matter to my household but are hard to value?
Enter only a value you can reasonably support, or leave the field at zero. Keep benefits such as health coverage separate from cash compensation so assumptions remain visible.
Verified Sources & Methodology
Publication 15 (Supplemental Wages and Withholding Rules)
What You Should Know About Your Retirement Plan Vesting
Evaluating Restricted Stock and Company Stock Risks
Use the Right Calculator for the Next Question
Move between the main calculator, focused tools, and plain-English guides without changing the site experience.
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