The Real Money Value Of A $1.7B Powerball In Montana

Powerball Jackpot Passes 1.7 Billion Dollars

My dad was never much of a gambler, but he always told me he’d buy a Powerball ticket anytime the jackpot climbed over one billion dollars.

Well, with no winner on Monday the 22nd, my dad, and maybe you too, might want to grab a ticket because the jackpot has now climbed to more than 1.7 billion.

Why Big Lottery Jackpots Get Everyone Dreaming

Like most people, we all dream about winning the lottery. And when you buy a ticket, it’s hard not to start imagining what you’d do with all that money.

But there are also plenty of horror stories about lottery winners who end up flat broke within five years, and those are worth paying attention to so it doesn’t happen to you.

So if you did win, how much money would you actually take home? Especially when you’re given the choice between a lump sum or yearly payments.

How Much A Montana Powerball Winner Would Actually Keep

According to a website called USAMEGA, which breaks down lottery numbers and taxes, how much you keep depends heavily on where you live.

Here in Montana, let’s say you’re filing single. If you took the lump sum option, after federal and state taxes, you’d be able to deposit about $446,198,238 into your bank account.

If you chose the 30 year annuity instead, and again after all federal and state taxes are paid, you’d end up with about $993,378,120 total. That comes from 30 yearly payments of roughly $33,112,604.

As tempting as those numbers are, there’s a lot more to think about than just which payment option you’d choose if you ever hit the jackpot.👇