The One Thing Future-You Will Thank You For

With March Madness tipping off soon (March 18 to April 7, 2025), we're thinking about brackets, underdogs, and championship dreams. But we're also noticing something else – the way tournament strategy mirrors smart retirement planning.

Author

Savvly Inc.
March 11, 2025 • Reading Time: 8 minutes

Your Retirement Bracket

Remember filling out your first bracket? The overwhelming number of teams, conflicting expert picks, and that nagging feeling you're missing something important? That's exactly what starting retirement planning feels like for most people.

When you're staring at 68 teams—or a world of investment options—it's easy to freeze up. Everyone's got an opinion. Market predictions fly from all directions. Separating real insight from noise becomes nearly impossible.

But here's what we've learned watching both basketball dynasties and retirement success stories: steady progress beats perfect predictions every time.

Championship teams don't panic when they're down in the first half. They stick to fundamentals, adapt where needed, and keep their eye on cutting down those nets in April. The same holds true when building your retirement strategy – those who avoid being rattled by market dips and keep contributing through volatility tend to find themselves in much better shape down the road.

GIF by GIPHY

Coaching Wisdom

Rich Clarkson/NCAA Photos via Getty Images

Basketball legend John Wooden said something that applies perfectly to retirement planning: "It's what you learn after you know it all that counts."

Think about that. The coaches who win championships aren't the ones with rigid systems – they're the ones who build strong foundations but remain flexible enough to adjust when things aren't working.

Your retirement strategy works the same way. Start with fundamentals (diversification, regular contributions), but be willing to make smart adjustments as your life and the markets evolve. Whether it's an economic downturn or unexpected expenses, having a Plan B means you won't have to scrap your entire strategy when life throws a full-court press your way.

Finding Hidden Value

GIF by NCAA MARCH MADNESS/GIPHY

Every March, a team seemingly comes from nowhere to bust brackets nationwide. Last year's Saint Peter's run. Loyola Chicago and Sister Jean. The basketball world loves these underdogs.

In investing, there are always sectors or strategies that dramatically outperform expectations. But chasing these "Cinderella investments" is often as fruitless as picking a 15-seed to win it all.

Instead of hunting for perfect winners, successful retirement savers typically build diversified portfolios – like a basketball team with multiple scoring threats instead of just one star. When one investment sector struggles, others pick up the slack, keeping your nest egg growing through different market cycles.

Playing the Long Game

Teams cutting down the nets in April don't just have talent – they have resilience. They grind through tough stretches, trust their system when shots aren't falling, and understand that consistency ultimately wins championships.

Peter Lynch, who ran Fidelity's legendary Magellan Fund, summed it up perfectly: "The real key to making money in stocks is not to get scared out of them." The most successful retirement investors we work with don't abandon their strategy during market volatility – they recognize temporary setbacks as part of a winning long-term approach.

Too Many Left Behind

While we're talking basketball analogies, we should remember that millions of Americans are stuck on the sidelines when it comes to retirement planning. According to a recent Economic Innovation Group study, 41.4% of full-time workers don't have access to retirement plans, and nearly half don't receive any employer matching contributions.

The numbers are even more startling for low-income workers, with 74.8% of those earning less than $26,400 annually lacking access to any retirement plan at all. At Savvly, we believe everyone deserves a shot at retirement security – not just those with the right employer or income level.

The Good & Bad News of the Week

Sportswire via GETTY IMAGES

Good:

Despite the market's recent dip, most investors who maintain long-term perspective view these dips as buying opportunities.
Just like basketball's best coaches use regular season losses to identify weaknesses, smart investors use market corrections to strengthen their positions at better prices.

Bad: 

S&P 500 decreased by 3.1%, Nasdaq Composite fell by 3.5%, reflecting notable losses in technology stocks. And, the Dow Jones Industrial Average declined by 2.4%, indicating broad-based market weakness. 
It's a timely reminder that diversification matters – both when filling out your bracket and building your retirement portfolio.

Savvly is Launching in April – Get Early Access! 🚀

Exciting News—Savvly is Launching this April‼

Designed to give you a smarter, longer-lasting retirement, Savvly combines a traditional investment portfolio with a pension-style longevity fund to ensure your money lasts as long as you do. But you don’t have to wait until April to experience it! Our exclusive beta opens in mid-March, giving early users a chance to explore the platform, set up their accounts, and be the first to secure their financial future with Savvly.

Sign up for early access today and take control of your retirement! 🎉💰

Before We Go

The best retirement planning, like the best basketball, isn't about quick wins or flashy plays. It's about consistent execution, learning from setbacks, and trusting the process when things get tough. Start building your championship retirement strategy today – your future self will be glad you did.

XavierMBB by GIPHY

Got a story recommendation or idea to share for our next article? Hit us up at [email protected].

Over and out,

Team Savvly