PA couple claims $149M Mega Millions jackpot

Aug 29, 2014, 3:05 pm (27 comments)

Mega Millions

By Todd Northrop

PITTSBURGH — The Pennsylvania couple who bought a winning Mega Millions lottery ticket in May has finally come forward to claim the jackpot.

The ticket was sold three months ago in White Oak and is worth $149 million.

Carl Szott and his wife claimed their prize at the Pennsylvania Lottery Headquarters.

Their ticket was the first Mega Millions winner ever in the state of Pennsylvania.

Yesterday they got a check for $87 million.

"It's really surreal," said Szott. "We are really excited to be able to spend more time with our children and grandchildren."

"It's overwhelming," he continued.  "And we're just going to move forward and hopefully things won't change that much for us. Although we understand it will, but we'd like to keep our lives as quiet as possible."

The winning ticket was sold at the White Oak Gas and Grocery.  The winning numbers for the May 20 drawing were 10, 40, 63, 64, and 69, with Mega Ball number 7.

The jackpot started growing in early April and rolled over 12 times. Szott had a choice of a $149 million annuity or nearly $87 million in cash, less 25 percent federal withholding.

Szott bought the ticket at White Oak Gas & Grocery in White Oak, near Pittsburgh. The store will get a $100,000 bonus for selling the ticket.

News story photo(Click to display full-size in gallery)

Lottery Post Staff

Comments

dallascowboyfan's avatardallascowboyfan

Congratulation Mr/Mrs. Carl Szott....

En ReVal

So many people are winning lately and it seems it will be a while b4 any lottery hit $200M.  New Casinos are taking over!

ThatScaryChick's avatarThatScaryChick

Congrats, to the lucky winners.

music*'s avatarmusic*

Quote: Originally posted by ThatScaryChick on Aug 29, 2014

Congrats, to the lucky winners.

I Agree! also, was it a quick pick ?

noise-gate

Quote: Originally posted by En ReVal on Aug 29, 2014

So many people are winning lately and it seems it will be a while b4 any lottery hit $200M.  New Casinos are taking over!

That's Right-  If " so many people are winning lately" as you put it, well more power to them. People are playing to WIN, and any reasonable lottery player should be prepared to win ANY amount. I have never heard of any winner say " I feel sick to my stomach- why? Because l know I won $120 mil but l wish l did not, I was hoping it would roll over to $140 mil and then win it all !"

user71926's avataruser71926

Congratulations!!!  Yay to first PA winner!!!  MORE TO COME PA!!!

Drenick1's avatarDrenick1

Three months to put their financial/estate planning in order. I have a strong feeling this money will bring them much happiness while providing financial security for their children and grandchildren.

Congrats to the lucky couple and kudos for taking the time to get their priorities in order prior to coming forward.

HaveABall's avatarHaveABall

Congratulations Szotts, on your big Mega Millions lottery jackpot win! Cheers

It is encouraging to see the claim was in both of your names.  I'm looking forward to receiving more details about your tickets purchase history and numbers choice/quick pick computer generateds.

IPlayWeekly's avatarIPlayWeekly

I wonder why people feel the need to say their life won't change, lol... of course it changes, no more dead end job, travel and true financial freedom

mikeintexas's avatarmikeintexas

Quote: Originally posted by Drenick1 on Aug 29, 2014

Three months to put their financial/estate planning in order. I have a strong feeling this money will bring them much happiness while providing financial security for their children and grandchildren.

Congrats to the lucky couple and kudos for taking the time to get their priorities in order prior to coming forward.

That was my first thought.  I'd love to see the statistics for people who took that length of time to claim and those who claimed within a much shorter amount of time, comparing them several years later - who still has the bulk of their fortune and who does not.   I'm positive there's a definite correlation.

CDanaT's avatarCDanaT

Quote: Originally posted by Drenick1 on Aug 29, 2014

Three months to put their financial/estate planning in order. I have a strong feeling this money will bring them much happiness while providing financial security for their children and grandchildren.

Congrats to the lucky couple and kudos for taking the time to get their priorities in order prior to coming forward.

Yes Dr1, I have to completely agree....Looks like age and perhaps wisdom may have prevailed for these winners. Time will be the judge of that in the years to come. Kudos to them and their choices....Roughly $52 million and change after Uncle Sam's full cut. Set up the family with half of that. Maybe a few million to various charities. Get all your toys, house(s) bought. should leave you with about $20 Million ....... Get a nice lil 3-4% return each year after...$600-800K.....Yeah, I think I could manage with that quite nicely. Hurray!

Saylorgirl's avatarSaylorgirl

Congratulations to the winners!

helpmewin's avatarhelpmewin

Congratulations to you BOTHLove Spend WiselyParty

helpmewin's avatarhelpmewin

Quote: Originally posted by noise-gate on Aug 29, 2014

That's Right-  If " so many people are winning lately" as you put it, well more power to them. People are playing to WIN, and any reasonable lottery player should be prepared to win ANY amount. I have never heard of any winner say " I feel sick to my stomach- why? Because l know I won $120 mil but l wish l did not, I was hoping it would roll over to $140 mil and then win it all !"

Green laugh

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