Published by Trustmark Voluntary Benefits on March 23rd, 2021

Mathematically, the odds of filling out a perfect bracket in the NCAA tournament are 1 in 9,223,372,036,854,775,808 (that’s 9.2 quintillion). If you happen to be somewhat of a basketball buff, your chances increase to 1 in 120.2 billion.1 So, we’re telling you there’s a chance!



Every year, millions of hopeful basketball fans fill out an NCAA tournament bracket in the hopes of picking the perfect bracket or, more realistically, having the best bracket amongst friends or coworkers. While we certainly wouldn’t discourage anyone from taking a few risks when filling out their bracket, we also think it’s important to note that you shouldn’t take any chances when it comes to financial security and your health. As the numbers show, it’s a much safer option to protect your health.

  • 6 hours – The amount of time the average worker spends watching March Madness.2
  • 40 seconds – The amount of time that passes between Americans having heart attacks.3
 
  • .0001% - Percentage of people who predict the Sweet 16 correctly.4
  • 25% - Percentage of 20-year-olds who become disabled before retirement age.5
 
  • $8.5 billion – The amount of money gambled by Americans on March Madness.6
  • $15 trillion - The amount of unmet need for life insurance in the United States.7
 
  • 50% – The odds that one of the number one seeds will actually reach the final game.8
  • 57% – The percentage of Americans with less than $1,000 in their savings.9
When all is said and done, there’s not much at stake during March Madness. For many, the most that’s on the line are bragging rights with friends or coworkers around the watercooler. So, fill out that bracket and have some fun with the tournament, but don’t forget to make sure you have the right financial protection so you’re not taking any chances with your health, too.

1 NCAA Bracket IQ. The absurd odds of a perfect NCAA bracket. 2021.
2 WalletHub. 2021 March Madness Stats & Facts. 2021.
3CDC. Heart Disease Facts. 2019.
4 USA Today. “Warren Buffett’s NCAA tournament bracket challenge.” 2018.
5 U.S. Social Security Administration. The Faces and Facts of Disability. 2019.
6 Reuters. Americans to bet $8.5 billion on NCAA’s ‘March Madness’ basketball tournament. 2019.
7 Benefits Pro. “The $15 trillion unmet life insurance need and how to solve it.” 2017.
8 Sporting News. “NCAA Tournament 2021 bracket tips.” 2021.
9 PR Newswire. “More Than Half of Americans Have Less Than $1,000 in Savings.” 2017.