With the World Series approaching, many of us are watching closely to see who will face the Los Angeles Dodgers. And while champions will rise and fall, one name continues to capture the attention of baseball fans and financial professionals alike: Shohei Ohtani.
Ohtani is widely recognized as one of the most talented players of our time — a rare athlete who can hit, pitch, and field at an elite level. The Dodgers are compensating him accordingly, with a contract reportedly worth $70 million per year, not including more than $100 million annually in endorsements. From the outside, his financial future appears more than secure.
But here’s where it gets interesting — and relatable.
Despite that extraordinary income, Ohtani made a deliberate decision: he chose to defer $68 million of his annual salary until after he retires. Starting in 2034, he will begin receiving that deferred income, creating a reliable financial foundation long after his playing days are over.
In essence, Ohtani is doing what every retiree hopes to do: convert today’s earnings into tomorrow’s security.
A Lesson in Predictable Income
When you strip away the numbers and fame, the principle is simple and universal — set aside a portion of income today to guarantee income in the future. Financial advisors know this concept well. It’s the foundation of retirement planning. In many ways, Ohtani has created his own version of an income annuity.
Most of us spend decades working, saving, and investing with one primary concern: Will my income last as long as I do?
And at retirement, every individual faces a pivotal question:
Do I want to carry the risk of outliving my money, or transfer that risk to an institution built to manage it?
Transferring Risk, Ensuring Stability
For many, the answer lies in solutions like income annuities, which provide guaranteed cash flow to cover essential expenses — month after month, for life. Just as Ohtani structured his financial future to generate income beyond his active years, retirees can use annuities to create peace of mind and financial predictability.
It’s not about chasing returns. It’s about building certainty.
The Takeaway for Advisors
What Ohtani demonstrates on a grand scale is the same mindset we encourage for clients — and for advisors themselves:
Think like an owner. Plan like a professional. Protect the future you’re building.
Whether you’re earning $70,000 or $70 million, true financial security isn’t about how much you make — it’s about how intentionally you structure your income for the years ahead.
