The American Major League Baseball organization offered annuities prolifically, and much historic documentation exists from this organization. In a letter from A. B. Chandler, Commissioner, dated in 1947, the first Major League Baseball Players Annuity and Life Insurance Plan was introduced as part of a circular outlining the benefits of the plan. The plan was offered to players, coaches, and trainers. Ten years later, in 1957, the plan was amended and renamed as the Major League Baseball Players Benefit Plan. To this day, annuities remain a large part of Major League players' financial resources.
The Annuity Museum possesses both a 1947 circular and a 1957 amended document. The document from 1957 is especially interesting in that it shows the updated status of the group annuity participation, listing new members, members reaching retirement, and members dying before retirement.