The retirement benefits from the Bert Bell/Pete Rozelle Retirement program are based on what criteria?

The retirement benefits from the Bert Bell/Pete Rozelle Retirement Plan are determined primarily by the concept of credited seasons. This system acknowledges a player's participation in the NFL, where only those seasons in which a player is on a team’s roster for a specified duration contribute to the computation of retirement benefits.

Credited seasons reflect actual playing time and contributions to the league, and they are essential in measuring a player's tenure and eligibility for retirement benefits. The structure aims to reward players based on their active involvement in the game rather than factors like salary or endorsements, which do not directly correlate with the nature of retirement benefits.

The focus on credited seasons ensures that players who have committed significant time and effort to their careers receive appropriate retirement compensation, fostering fairness in the benefits distribution among players based on their on-field contributions.