USA Mega debuts Powerball lottery annuity calculator

Comment #32

CASH Only — Wed, 02 Nov 2005 15:29:25 GMT

todd:People who choose annuity do not get the whole thing more than if they choose lump sum.

Comment #31

Todd — Wed, 02 Nov 2005 01:00:06 GMT

cash only: It would be AWESOME to see Steve West take the annuity, especially since it's the largest single prize in history, and he would get the whole thing.

Comment #30

Chewie — Tue, 01 Nov 2005 23:37:51 GMT

Whats all this record stuff mean anyway. Lotsa money is lotsa money. Thirty Million, fifty million, sixty million, who cares! Every one on the LP would be better off forgetting this record business and cheering for the 20-30 million dollar win. More jackpots, more winners, more winners, the better the chance of one of them being us. Fewer winners, means fewer of us have a chance at the jackpot. Decisions, decisions. Record jackpot, or any jackpot. Decisions, decisions.I want to win tonight, I do... [ More ]

Comment #29

CASH Only — Tue, 01 Nov 2005 20:21:28 GMT

todd:It would be TERRIBLE if the largest lottery prize in US history were to be paid through an annuity, which hasn't been the case in years. Then Jack Whittaker would have to break the new record.

Comment #28

Todd — Tue, 01 Nov 2005 19:47:11 GMT

I hope Steve West chooses annuity, just to see how he likes it over the long haul. It would be interesting, IMHO.

Comment #27

CASH Only — Tue, 01 Nov 2005 19:43:40 GMT

I hope Steve West is a cash fanatic, if he really is the PB winner.

Comment #26

Chewie — Tue, 01 Nov 2005 15:58:56 GMT

I am a cash fanatic, I would be like Uncle Scrooge McDuck, bathing in the green bills all day. However, the calculater gives you an accurate perspective on what happens if you choose the annuity option. It always helps to see both sides, even if the other side has no idea of what they are talking about.

Comment #25

CASH Only — Tue, 01 Nov 2005 00:11:47 GMT

I don't have to play with the calculator. I'm taking the cash. The new PB annuity should further encourage winners to choose lump sum.

Comment #24

Chewie — Thu, 13 Oct 2005 14:09:16 GMT

There is always a bookie some where, some place that will gladly take your money. Might not be there to pay it out though. Stick with an outfit that is recommended by some one who has proven their reliability. Todd recommends Prime. Option two: Spin the wheel, take your chances.

Comment #23

shalini — Thu, 13 Oct 2005 05:13:59 GMT

also, its always nice to have your money in hand...god knows what stupid event could take place if your kismet is bad and you could lose it. CASH only!!just read that the PB is upto 290 million...........besides online, does PB or MM have any tie up with some UK firm in or around London where these lottos can be played...do let me know...I am aware there is Prime service for online lotto purchase..............................

Comment #22

ryanm — Wed, 12 Oct 2005 23:37:01 GMT

Chewie, tax uncertainty is part of the reason why cash value option is ALWAYS better than annuity.

Comment #21

Chewie — Wed, 12 Oct 2005 17:28:49 GMT

I only play PP in Penn. Finally got around to studying the annuity numbers; just kinda glanced earlier. Annuity taxes total up to $60 million dollars. That's assuming no future tax increase by our legislators in Washington, or by either state. I hadn't realized the hit was that big. A million here, a million there, and pretty soon they can pork-barrel a highway to some Congressman's house.

Comment #20

shalini — Tue, 11 Oct 2005 05:10:38 GMT

haha....its just that somehow it feels an impossible dream.............psychologically the euromillions feels more attainable...not that I have won any decent amounts on either....the euromillions and the national lottery in the uk is tax freeby the way...some windfall clause or the other...in india its a tax deduction of 40% but then our lotteries, the few that are there don't deal with such enormous sums...what fun to win...so, chewie...I think I will splurge

Comment #19

Rip Snorter — Tue, 11 Oct 2005 03:21:43 GMT

Hello back atcha shalini.Good luck on those tickets.Jack

Comment #18

mken32 — Tue, 11 Oct 2005 00:56:00 GMT

The way gas prices is I thiink it's worth a hold lot more just a buck, faith that you will win.

Comment #17

Chewie — Mon, 10 Oct 2005 21:44:40 GMT

You don't consider $240M worth the buck? At what point will you splurge

Comment #16

Just6ntlc — Mon, 10 Oct 2005 16:45:58 GMT

With the PB calculations, I think I can analyze it! I'm really happy that PB's payments increase just like CA SLP.

Comment #15

shalini — Mon, 10 Oct 2005 16:08:41 GMT

a hello to all those online right now

Comment #14

shalini — Mon, 10 Oct 2005 16:07:57 GMT

I play your lottos occasionally and I always ask my sister in law in texas to buy the tickets as they have no state tax. Am debating whether to buy the PB this time ...240 is tempting..........

Comment #13

Rip Snorter — Mon, 10 Oct 2005 14:15:05 GMT

Nice calculator, as a matter of academic interest only for me. I'd hate to think I'll live long enough to see the balloon at the end of the annuity payments. The aches and pains would take the joy out of watching the balloon lift off.Thanks Todd.Jack

Comment #12

Chewie — Mon, 10 Oct 2005 12:22:37 GMT

Ahhhh. I normally don't go down the state listing. I buy in PA, and they have no taxes.Found it. Thanks.

Comment #11

Todd — Mon, 10 Oct 2005 12:17:15 GMT

At the bottom of the story above is a direct link to the Powerball Jackpot Analysis page. Follow that link and then click on any state's link for the Annuity Payment Schedule.Or, just go to www.usamega.com and click on Jackpot Analysis under the Powerball heading on the left.

Comment #10

Chewie — Mon, 10 Oct 2005 12:13:40 GMT

I am having a senior moment - actually several of them. Where is the calculator link

Comment #9

dvdiva — Mon, 10 Oct 2005 04:57:00 GMT

I never considered Columbus Day a holiday. Smkkm1 - they have a 1% stake and California is a Megamillions state not a Powerball state.

Comment #8

Smkkm1 — Mon, 10 Oct 2005 04:43:44 GMT

lets say if somone wins this powerball of 240 million this wendsday (hopefully its me lol ) and if they use PTS .... what percent does PTS get out of it. and can I buy in CAlifornia

Comment #7

wizeguy — Mon, 10 Oct 2005 03:52:41 GMT

It's a holiday weekend. I appreciate the feature but at my age I'd have to pass on annuity and take the cash.

Comment #6

Todd — Mon, 10 Oct 2005 03:36:50 GMT

Considering the number of people who requested this feature, the silence is deafening.

Comment #5

Todd — Mon, 10 Oct 2005 03:27:49 GMT

Yes and no. PTS cannot SELL you lottery tickets, but if you use their service, you're entering into a partnership with them that essentially does the same thing. It gives you 99% ownership of the ticket, which in my book is perfect. I spent eight months researching all the available service companies, and they are the best I found. In fact, they are one of the few that are not a scam.

Comment #4

JONMOJON — Mon, 10 Oct 2005 02:31:42 GMT

Smkkm1, I live outside the US, and I have been buying tickets from PTS for powerball and MM, for about two months. I think they're in Spain, since I receive once a call from my bank to check some charges to my CC made in Spain. I have won a couple a bucks, and used them in other transactions. I will keep playing.

Comment #3

Smkkm1 — Sun, 09 Oct 2005 22:08:42 GMT

CAN People from california buy Powerball tickets in PTS

Comment #2

KyMystikal — Sun, 09 Oct 2005 17:06:47 GMT

I had thought before that if I ever won I would take payments but after looking at that payment schedule, I'm starting to feel like CashOnly. I'll take the Cash

Comment #1

dvdiva — Sun, 09 Oct 2005 16:57:11 GMT

Yet another reason to check out www.usamega.com if you have questions about how much you will win. Thanks Todd.

USA Mega debuts Powerball lottery annuity calculator

Lottery Post — Sun, 09 Oct 2005 15:49:53 GMT

An Internet web site offering information about the United States' largest multi-state lottery games, Mega Millions and Powerball, today introduced a new feature for Powerball players.USA Mega (www.usamega.com) created a new annuity calculation feature in response to the new Powerball rules regarding jackpot annuity payouts.Prior to the August 31, 2005 Powerball drawing, jackpot winners who chose the annuity option would receive 30 equal-sized payouts, distributed over a 29-year period.Starting... [ More ]