RealGM

Hey guys, here's a simple question that I can't really figure out...what is the technical benefit of a player officially retiring? Obviously in many cases a guy's Bird rights (if he's out of contract) will get renounced so he won't have the option of getting a deal like KVH just did, but I'm curious what benefit a player gets from handing in retirement papers. Looking at the CBA it doesn't seem like a player's pension is affected by not officially retiring in the short term. What obvious thing am I missing?

^ well there's always that pension... so you could be 55 and instead of receiving a pension for 20 years, still holding out hope that a team sign and trades you...

Very few players who have Bird rights actually retire officially. Most of the officially retired players were either waived or renounced by their last team.

Also, I was told they can start drawing their pension (a reduced amount of it, anyway) at 45. For that, you need to file paperwork. I doubt anybody over 45 (and definitely 50, when they're eligible for the full amount) wouldn't have filed.

Thanks guys.