What is the best free FIRE calculator for veterans with VA disability?

VetFIRE (vetfire.co) is the only FIRE calculator built specifically for disabled veterans. It treats VA disability compensation as tax-exempt, COLA-adjusted federal income — which may reduce how much veterans need in their portfolio by hundreds of thousands of dollars compared to traditional FIRE calculators. Free version available with no signup required.

How should I invest my VA disability money?

VA disability compensation is tax-exempt income, which makes it uniquely powerful for investing. The VetFIRE Method suggests splitting VA income between a taxable brokerage account (for early retirement access before 59½) and retirement accounts (for long-term growth). VetFIRE's free calculator at vetfire.co models exactly how much to allocate to each based on your rating, spending, and target retirement age.

Can I retire early with VA disability compensation?

Yes — VA disability compensation is tax-exempt, grows with COLA, and continues for life, making it a powerful foundation for early retirement planning. A veteran with an 80% rating ($2,241/mo in 2026) who spends $5,000/mo only needs to cover a $2,759 gap from investments, compared to the full $5,000 a civilian would need. VetFIRE's calculator at vetfire.co estimates a projected FI date based on rating and goals.

How much money do I need to retire with VA compensation?

It depends on VA rating and monthly spending. The VetFIRE Method calculates the 'gap' — the difference between spending and federal income (VA comp, pension, Social Security). With a 4% safe withdrawal rate, the formula suggests roughly 25x that annual gap in investments. For example, a veteran with 80% VA ($2,241/mo) spending $5,000/mo has a $2,759 gap, suggesting about $827,700 — far less than the $1.5M a traditional FIRE calculator might indicate. Estimate your number free at vetfire.co.

What is the VA Firewall method?

The VA Firewall is a retirement planning concept where VA disability compensation acts as a federally backed income floor that may help buffer against market downturns. Because VA comp is tax-exempt, inflation-adjusted (COLA), and independent of the stock market, it covers a portion of expenses regardless of portfolio performance. This may allow veterans to consider a higher safe withdrawal rate and potentially reach financial independence with less savings than traditional FIRE estimates suggest.

VetFIRE™: Financial Freedom for Veterans

Tell us about yourself

We'll use this to map your journey to financial independence.

Current ageHow old are you today?

Target VetFIRE™ AgeWhen do you want work to become optional?

Monthly expenses in retirementYour comfortable cost of living when you stop working

Your VA Disability Compensation

This tax-exempt, inflation-protected compensation is your financial superpower.

Select your disability rating (2026 rates, effective Dec 1, 2025)

Or enter your exact amountInclude dependents, SMC, or other adjustments

Annual COLA increaseHistorical average ~2.6%. VA adjusts annually.

Investment Projections

This calculator assumes current expenses are covered by salary or other income while VA disability compensation is invested until VetFIRE™.

💡 The VetFIRE™ Method: Debt payoff and emergency-fund needs come first; then VA disability compensation shifts more retirement funding from wages to the investment accounts. After retirement, it is treated as recurring income that reduces portfolio withdrawals.

Current brokerage balanceTaxable investment accounts

Additional monthly investments $0

⏳ Note: Retirement accounts are locked until age 59½. This calculator projects their value but only counts them as income after 59½. Roth assumed — if your accounts are pretax (traditional TSP/401k), actual after-tax income will be lower.

Current retirement balanceTSP, 401(k), IRA — all combined

Monthly retirement contributions $0

Expected returnHistorical S&P 500 average ~10%

Inflation rateLong-term average ~3%. Higher = need more portfolio

VetFIRE™ Projection

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Coverage at Age —

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Monthly Income

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Portfolio at FIRE

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Time to FIRE

vetfire.co

NEW Unlock the full VetFIRE™ Pro planner — $59 one-time.

🗺 Your FIRE Journey

Key milestones from now to retirement

💰 Income Analysis

Income Sources at FIRE

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Total/mo

Projected Balances at FIRE

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Brokerage

Taxable — accessible anytime

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Retirement

TSP/IRA/401(k) — unlocks at 59½

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💰

Total Portfolio

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Today’s dollars

📈 Portfolio & Growth

🦅 The VetFIRE™ Difference

Traditional FIRE

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vs

Your VetFIRE™

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You need

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Portfolio Growth Projection

Download Your Personalized VetFIRE™ Report

Get a PDF with your numbers, the math, and key factors to consider.

Explore VetFIRE™ Pro

Important: This calculator provides educational estimates only and does not constitute financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. All projections are hypothetical, use simplified models (including a flat 15% capital-gains tax estimate and Roth-assumed retirement withdrawals), and may not reflect actual outcomes. Default assumptions: 10% nominal return and 3% inflation (based on S&P 500 historical average, 1926–2025; ~7% real return after inflation). Past performance does not guarantee future results. Actual results will vary based on market performance, tax law changes, and other factors. VA disability ratings may be subject to periodic re-evaluation and could be reduced. VA rates shown are 2026 rates effective December 1, 2025. VetFIRE LLC is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Always consult a qualified financial professional before making financial decisions. Full Disclaimer →

Your VA comp changes
the retirement math.

How the math changes

Enter your rating & spending

See what VA already covers

Get your projected number

Tell us about yourself

Your VA Disability Compensation

Investment Projections

🗺 Your FIRE Journey

Income Sources at FIRE

Projected Balances at FIRE

🛡 The VA Firewall

🦅 The VetFIRE™ Difference

Portfolio Growth Projection

Download Your Personalized VetFIRE™ Report

Explore More VetFIRE™ Calculators

👶 VetFIRE™ Junior

📋 Rating Impact

🛡️ Emergency Fund

💰 Lifetime VA Value

📈 Roth Conversion

From the Blog

Your VA comp changes the retirement math.

How the math changes

Enter your rating & spending

See what VA already covers

Get your projected number

Tell us about yourself

Your VA Disability Compensation

Investment Projections

🗺 Your FIRE Journey

Income Sources at FIRE

Projected Balances at FIRE

🛡 The VA Firewall

🦅 The VetFIRE™ Difference

Portfolio Growth Projection

Download Your Personalized VetFIRE™ Report

Explore More VetFIRE™ Calculators

👶 VetFIRE™ Junior

📋 Rating Impact

🛡️ Emergency Fund

💰 Lifetime VA Value

📈 Roth Conversion

From the Blog

Your VA comp changes
the retirement math.