If You Win Powerball, You Might Want To Say ‘NO’ To The Cash

Powerball fever has once again swept the nation. Chances are you will buy a ticket or two and then sit and dream of what winning a $1.6 billion jackpot would feel like. The first question that a winner is asked is do you want the cash payout or the annuity? Most people choose the cash. But you might want to reconsider.

Getting that one lump sum payment of nearly $750 million is sure tempting. But as KWWL points out, if you want all of that $1.6 billion, you'll actually need to choose the annuity, which is paid out over 29 years. With most winners choosing cash, some financial advisors are now saying that may be the wrong choice.

KWWL reports that one financial expert says that by taking the annuity, it eliminates the chances of making mistakes when investing the money. Under the lottery's annuity plan, you get an initial payment, and then 29 annual payments that rise by 5% each year until reaching that $1.6 billion payout. Many lottery winners take the cash and just assume they can invest and make more money than the annuity pays out. Another advisor told KWWL that the Powerball's annuity assumes a 4.3% rate of gain. If you feel you can beat that, take the cash and invest yourself.

But before you go hiring that financial advisor, remember this. The odds of winning Saturday's Powerball jackpot of $1.6 billion is 1 in 292.2 million. So you're saying there's a chance? Remember to play within your means and good luck! I really wish I meant that last part.

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