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Patrick Mahomes will make $45 million this year leading the Kansas City Chiefs into Super Bowl LIX. That's about 900 times what the average American earns annually. But here's what makes football and finance interesting—success means more than the numbers on the paycheck.
When you look beyond the stadium lights of the NFL's biggest game, you'll find something that matters for every retirement plan: the extreme power of preparation mixed with the right strategy.
Famed financial planner, Peter Mallouk, puts it perfectly: "Financial success rarely comes from your earning power – it comes from understanding what to do with what you earn." The proof is in the numbers: according to recent data, many NFL players (and other professional athletes) struggle financially within a few years of retirement, despite earning millions during their careers.
Let's explore what this means for your retirement playbook:
First, you need offensive strategies:
Then comes your defensive line:
As Sportico reports, even teams worth billions like the Eagles ($6.75B) and Chiefs ($5.43B) focus heavily on steady, sustainable income rather than just big game revenues. Your retirement plan needs the same careful attention to regular season fundamentals.
Let's have some fun with Mahomes' $45 million salary. After taxes and agent fees (roughly 45%), he pockets about $25 million yearly. Most financial planners recommend saving 15-20% of your income for retirement – but let's think bigger. If Mahomes put aside half his take-home pay, that's $12.5 million annually working toward retirement.With smart investing and compound growth (assuming a conservative 6% return), here's what retirement could look like:
1. $300,000 Monthly Living
2. $200,000 Monthly Business Focus
3. $100,000 Monthly Legacy Plan
But let's get real – most of us aren't signing $450 million contracts. The lesson here isn't about the size of the numbers; it's about having a game plan for whatever your numbers are.
Think about your retirement like the Chiefs think about their Super Bowl strategy – you need more than just talent and resources. You need a system that works.That's where Savvly comes in. We've built something different: a market-driven pension that helps turn your retirement savings into reliable income. No complicated playbooks or excessive fees – just a powerful strategy for lasting results.
While Mahomes has Andy Reid calling plays, you've got Savvly helping design your financial future. Ready to start building your championship-caliber retirement? Join our waitlist today.
Assumptions and Risk Disclosure
The information on this page is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended as investment, legal, or tax advice. It is designed solely to illustrate how longevity-based investment benefits may work under certain assumptions. Actual results will vary.
All illustrations, examples, and case studies are hypothetical and are intended to demonstrate potential scenarios—not to predict or guarantee actual outcomes. They do not represent the performance of any individual investor, portfolio, or account.
Key Assumptions Used in the Illustrations
- Life expectancy and mortality projections are based on the most recent Social Security Administration (SSA) tables available at the time of simulation.
- In the event of death or early withdrawal, hypothetical scenarios assume that beneficiaries may receive 75% of the lesser of the initial investment or current market value, plus 1% for each full year the account was active.
- Case studies assume standardized market growth of 8% annually and do not incorporate unexpected market volatility, inflation, changes in interest rates, or changes in an investor’s personal circumstances.
- Simulations may assume a 3% annual early withdrawal rate prior to payout or death.
- All figures shown are net of fees.
Risks to Consider
- Market Risk: Investment values will fluctuate and may be worth more or less than the amount invested. There are no guaranteed returns.
- Sequence of Returns Risk: The order and timing of market gains or losses—particularly near the payout phase—can materially affect results.
- Longevity Risk: Living longer than projected may reduce the pooled benefit per participant; shorter-than-expected lifespans may affect the amount received.
- Redemption Impact: Early or voluntary withdrawals by other participants can impact overall fund performance and distribution outcomes.
No forecast, projection, or hypothetical return should be relied upon as a promise or representation of future performance. Investors should carefully evaluate their own circumstances and consult a qualified financial professional before making any investment decision.
