When NBA superstar Chris Paul recently hinted that he’s considering retirement, saying he’ll only play “at the most a year” more, it got me thinking about something I discuss with my clients all the time—knowing when it’s the right time to step away from your career. Chris Paul potential retirement decision mirrors the same careful planning process that everyone approaching their golden years should consider, whether you’re a professional athlete or a dedicated teacher, engineer, or business owner.
Just like Chris Paul is weighing his options for his final season, you’re probably asking yourself similar questions about your own retirement timeline. How do you know when you’re financially ready? What factors should influence your decision? Let’s explore the retirement planning lessons we can learn from high-profile retirements and how to apply them to your own situation.
Understanding the Psychology Behind Chris Paul Potential Retirement Decision
At 39 years old, Chris Paul represents what many financial planners call the “sweet spot” generation—old enough to have accumulated significant wealth and experience, yet young enough to enjoy a long, healthy retirement. His approach to considering retirement offers valuable insights for anyone in their late career phase.
What strikes me most about Paul’s announcement is the deliberate nature of his timeline. He’s not making an emotional, spur-of-the-moment decision. Instead, he’s giving himself a clear endpoint—one more year maximum—to evaluate his options and prepare for the next chapter. This kind of intentional planning is exactly what I recommend to my pre-retirement clients.
The Financial Security Factor
Unlike most of us, Chris Paul has the luxury of financial security that makes his retirement timing more about personal fulfillment than economic necessity. According to Basketball Reference, Paul has earned over $400 million in career earnings. But here’s what’s interesting—and applicable to your situation—even with that level of wealth, he’s still being strategic about his timing.
For most Americans approaching retirement, the decision isn’t just about having “enough” money. It’s about having enough money to maintain your desired lifestyle for potentially 30+ years. I always tell my clients that retirement isn’t just an end—it’s a beginning that could last longer than your entire working career.
Lessons from Professional Athletes’ Retirement Planning
Professional athletes face unique retirement challenges that actually mirror what many high earners experience. Their careers are relatively short, their peak earning years are compressed, and they must plan for decades of life after their primary income source ends.
Chris Paul’s potential retirement strategy offers several lessons for your own planning. First, he’s not waiting until he’s forced to retire due to injury or declining performance. He’s choosing his exit on his own terms while he’s still performing at a high level. In your career, this translates to retiring while you’re still valuable and engaged, not waiting until you’re burned out or forced out.
Second, Paul has diversified his income streams beyond basketball. He’s involved in business ventures and has built relationships that will serve him well after retirement. This is crucial for anyone—having multiple income sources in retirement provides both financial security and personal fulfillment.
The Importance of Legacy and Purpose
Professional athletes often struggle with identity after retirement because so much of their sense of purpose was tied to their sport. Paul’s measured approach to his potential retirement suggests he’s thinking beyond just the financial aspects—he’s considering his legacy and what comes next.
I’ve worked with clients who retired with plenty of money but struggled because they hadn’t thought about their purpose in retirement. LeBron James has similarly been thoughtful about his retirement timeline, considering not just when to retire but what his post-basketball life will look like.
How to Apply Chris Paul’s Retirement Approach to Your Own Planning
Whether you’re 45 or 65, there are practical lessons from Chris Paul’s potential retirement decision that can improve your own retirement strategy. Let me share what I’ve learned from helping hundreds of people navigate this transition successfully.
Set a Clear Timeline and Stick to It
Paul’s “at the most a year” statement creates accountability. He’s not leaving his retirement open-ended. Similarly, you need to set specific retirement timeline goals. I recommend my clients identify both their “earliest possible retirement date” and their “ideal retirement date,” then work backwards to ensure their finances align with those timelines.
Here’s what that planning process looks like:
- Calculate your retirement expenses (typically 70-80% of pre-retirement income)
- Assess your current retirement savings across all accounts
- Determine your Social Security benefits timeline
- Factor in healthcare costs and inflation
- Create a withdrawal strategy that preserves your wealth
Don’t Wait for Perfect Conditions
Chris Paul isn’t waiting for a championship to retire—he’s making his decision based on his overall life goals and physical condition. Too many people delay retirement waiting for the “perfect” market conditions or one more promotion. The truth is, there’s never a perfect time to retire, just like there’s never a perfect time to start investing.
I’ve seen clients delay retirement for years waiting for their portfolio to hit an arbitrary number, only to miss precious healthy retirement years. Sometimes “good enough” is actually perfect. The goal isn’t to have the most money when you die—it’s to have enough money to live the retirement you want.
Financial Strategies from High-Profile Retirement Decisions
Looking at how successful athletes and executives handle their retirement transitions can provide valuable insights for your own planning. The strategies that work for high earners often scale down effectively for middle-class retirees.
One key strategy is the concept of “glide path” retirement—gradually reducing work responsibilities rather than stopping completely. Many professional athletes transition into coaching, broadcasting, or business roles. Similarly, you might consider consulting in your field, part-time work, or pursuing passion projects that generate some income.
Diversification Beyond Traditional Investments
Chris Paul’s business ventures remind us that retirement planning isn’t just about 401(k)s and IRAs. Successful retirees often have multiple income streams: investment accounts, rental properties, business interests, and delayed Social Security benefits that create a more robust financial foundation.
According to the Social Security Administration, the average retiree receives about 40% of their pre-retirement income from Social Security. That means you need to replace the other 60% through savings, investments, and other income sources.
The athletes who transition most successfully are those who’ve built businesses and relationships during their playing careers. Mike Conley’s thoughtful approach to his career decisions demonstrates how professional athletes can model good retirement planning principles.
Common Retirement Planning Mistakes to Avoid
Watching public figures navigate retirement decisions also highlights common mistakes that can derail your own planning. Chris Paul’s methodical approach helps us identify what not to do when planning your exit from the workforce.
The biggest mistake I see people make is emotional decision-making around retirement. Whether it’s retiring too early because you hate your job or staying too long because you’re afraid of running out of money, emotions can override good financial planning.
Don’t Retire TO Something, Retire FROM Something
Here’s something most people get backwards: successful retirement isn’t about escaping work—it’s about moving toward something meaningful. Athletes who struggle in retirement often focused only on ending their playing careers without planning what comes next.
Start planning your retirement activities and purpose at least five years before you plan to retire. Volunteer work, hobbies that could become income sources, travel plans, or family projects give your retirement structure and meaning beyond just financial security.
I’ve noticed that clients who retire with clear plans for their time are significantly happier than those who retire simply to stop working. Think about Chris Paul’s potential retirement—he’s not just ending his basketball career, he’s transitioning to the next phase of his professional life.
Building Your Personal Retirement Game Plan
Creating a retirement plan that works requires the same level of strategy and preparation that elite athletes put into their careers. Chris Paul didn’t become a Hall of Fame point guard by accident, and you won’t achieve a successful retirement by accident either.
Start with what I call the “retirement reality check.” This means getting brutally honest about your current financial situation, your retirement goals, and the gap between where you are and where you need to be. Just like Paul has to honestly assess his physical condition and performance level, you need to honestly assess your financial condition.
The Three-Bucket Approach to Retirement Income
Professional wealth managers often use a three-bucket strategy that works well for retirees at all income levels:
- Immediate needs bucket: 1-2 years of expenses in cash and short-term investments
- Medium-term bucket: 3-10 years of expenses in balanced investments
- Long-term bucket: 10+ years in growth investments for inflation protection
This approach gives you security for immediate needs while ensuring your money continues growing for the later years of retirement. It’s similar to how smart athletes manage their money—some for current needs, some for medium-term goals, and some for long-term wealth building.
Disclaimer: This article provides educational information about retirement planning strategies. It is not personalized financial advice. Your situation is unique—please consult with qualified professionals before making significant financial decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Chris Paul retire soon?
Based on his recent statements, Chris Paul has indicated he will play “at the most a year” more, suggesting retirement is likely within the next 1-2 seasons. At 39 years old, he’s being strategic about his timeline rather than leaving it open-ended.
Who is Chris Paul playing for in 2025-2026?
Chris Paul is currently with the San Antonio Spurs for the 2024-25 season. Given his retirement timeline hints, the 2025-26 season may be his final year, though his team destination for that potential final season hasn’t been determined yet.
Is Chris Paul an NBA point god hints at retirement after the 2025-26 season?
Yes, Chris Paul, often called the “Point God” for his exceptional court vision and leadership, has strongly hinted that he’s considering retirement soon. His “at the most a year” comment suggests the 2025-26 season could indeed be his last.
Why is the number 69 banned from the NBA?
The NBA doesn’t officially ban the number 69, but players avoid it due to its sexual connotations and potential marketing issues. The league’s jersey number policies focus more on practical considerations like referee signaling, which is why numbers above 55 are restricted.
Who was the first NBA player to make $1,000,000?
Moses Malone became the first NBA player to earn $1 million in a season when he signed with the Houston Rockets in 1979. This milestone marked the beginning of the modern era of professional basketball salaries.
Taking Action on Your Retirement Planning
Chris Paul’s thoughtful approach to his potential retirement offers a masterclass in strategic life planning. Whether you’re 35 or 65, the principles remain the same: be intentional about your timeline, prepare financially and emotionally, and make decisions based on your long-term goals rather than short-term emotions.
The most important lesson from observing high-profile retirement decisions like Paul’s is that successful retirement doesn’t happen by accident. It requires the same level of planning, strategy, and execution that built your career in the first place.
If you’re in the pre-retirement phase, start by setting your own clear timeline like Chris Paul has done. Whether that’s two years or ten years, having a target date creates accountability and urgency for your planning. Remember, athletes like Paul don’t wait until they’re injured or cut to start thinking about retirement—and neither should you.
Your retirement may not involve the same financial resources as a professional athlete, but the planning principles are identical: diversify your income sources, plan for a long retirement, and transition to something meaningful rather than just away from work. Most importantly, make your retirement decisions while you’re still performing at your peak, not when circumstances force your hand.