Generally, you earn a credited season if you are on the active, inactive, IR or PUP roster for three or more regular or post-season NFL games.
You also earn a Credited Season if you are released injured and receive an injury settlement or grievance for the equivalent of 3 or more regular season games.
If you have earned three or more credited seasons since 1993, you are vested, meaning you are entitled to benefits negotiated under the CBA.
Your benefits may vary depending on when you played and how many credited seasons you earned. For active players, these vested benefits include:
- Pension
- Health insurance for 5 years once you have finished playing
- Player Annuity Program
- CAP
- Tuition reimbursement
- Disability benefits
- Life insurance
- HRA
- 401k
- Severance
- Former Player Life Improvement Plan
- 88 Plan, a health reimbursement plan for vested players with certain illnesses.
Visit nflplayerbenefits.com (general benefits) or mycigna.com (healthcare benefits) for more information.