When a lottery jackpot balloons to hundreds of millions or even billions of dollars, there’s no shortage of people willing to spend their money to win. But as eye-popping as those jackpots are, it’s worth remembering that you don’t get to keep all of that cash if you’re the winner. A number of factors, including lottery formulas and tax collection, come into play.
Lottery winners must also make some major decisions, such as whether to take the lump sum or an annuity payout. Both have their benefits, but the annuity can lead to a higher take-home amount over time. The lump sum, on the other hand, allows winners to invest their winnings, potentially boosting them further. It’s also possible to bequeath the prize money to heirs in the event of death.
Another thing to consider is the impact of interest rates on a jackpot’s advertised amount. NerdWallet reports that many people are surprised to learn that interest rates actually affect the size of a lottery jackpot. That’s because those advertised jackpot amounts are based on annuities, which account for the interest you would earn on your winnings over 29 years. That means if interest rates rise, so will the jackpot.
Finally, it’s important to have a strategy in place when choosing your lottery numbers. Richard Lustig, who runs a successful online lottery consulting business, recommends choosing numbers that aren’t too common or personal. He says people who pick birthdays or other personal numbers, such as home addresses and social security numbers, often end up with less than desirable results.
If you’re a jackpot winner, it’s crucial to secure your ticket and consult financial advisors and legal professionals as soon as possible. They can help you manage your newfound wealth and help you find the best investments to maximize your returns. It’s also wise to maintain your privacy and maintain some level of anonymity to protect yourself from those who might seek to take advantage of you.
If you’re looking to try your luck at the next big jackpot, download our free app to track results. We’ll send you push notifications as soon as the winning numbers are drawn so you can be among the first to know if you have won. You can also set notifications to alert you when jackpots reach a certain size so you can be ready to play. Best of all, our app offers a full range of state and national games, from Powerball to Mega Millions. Get yours today!