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.
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Congratulation Mr/Mrs. Carl Szott....
So many people are winning lately and it seems it will be a while b4 any lottery hit $200M. New Casinos are taking over!
Congrats, to the lucky winners.
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 !"
Congratulations!!! Yay to first PA winner!!! MORE TO COME PA!!!
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.
Congratulations Szotts, on your big Mega Millions lottery jackpot win!
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.
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
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.
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.
Congratulations to the winners!
Congratulations to you BOTH
Spend Wisely
This is plenty of money to live the comfortable life. Congratulations PA couple!
Good luck on your win. You have been truly blessed.
Sure would like to know how it feels getting a check for, or seeing $87 million deposited into my account. Wonder how long before the reality of it hits?
Congratulations winners.
Indeed. What is the point of playing the lottery if you don't intend it to change your life?
He was quoted as saying "hopefully things won't change that much although we understand that it will". I agree with you that any major jackpot win such as this one will change your life whether you want to or not.
Well, congrats to the winners. Nice to see they spent the time to get things in order before collecting. Yes, the lottery will change your life, but stay true to yourselves.
Staying true to yourself might be easier said than done. Any major jackpot winner will have to contend with all sorts of "demons" such as long lost family members and freeloaders who feel entitled to a portion of your winnings because they bought a ticket as well. I personally have no idea how I would react if I was ever so fortunate.
Neither do I know how I would react, but you can only try to not let the money change you. I would believe one ultimate goal, and probably the hardest would be to stay true to yourself. You can change things, own bigger and more homes, buy fancy cars, give more to charity, etc, and people around you may change. But it does not have to change your personality, or the person you are at heart.
These two sound like lovely, smart people, so I hope they stay true.
Hooray for the PA couple. $87M is a lot a money!! Bet the undesirables are already hounding them for some of the action.
Hope they stay safe and secure.
Can you imagine going to the ATM making a deposit?
Oh, IPlayWeekly, that big sized check wouldn't fit. Save the gas and wait for an official electronic transfer. Ha ha.
Lol... I am truly happy when other people win. I can't seem to break $35 (most ever won off one ticket)
Bye bye coach/budget/economy class travel and hello first/business class/5 star travel. When I win, I will proclaim all the ways my life will change. First, I will say no more 100 hour work weeks to make 6 figure income!