Jun 16, 2026
Winning the lottery is an amazing stroke of luck, especially when the top prize on a Scratch-Off ticket guarantees $10,000 a month for life.
For one lucky winner, being 87 years old at the time of the win didn’t seem to dampen his excitement at all.
Advertisement
In fact, the lucky winner, Alfred Behney of Berks County, made a decision about his prize that some might consider optimistic, given his age. As reported by Berks Weekly, Behney declined the $1.6 million lump-sum option and instead chose the lifetime payout.
Scratch and cha-ching!
Behney, a retired truck driver, enjoys shopping at local farm stands and often grabs a Scratch-Off ticket while he’s out buying produce. One of his routine stops at Star Gas & Diesel on May 27 changed his life for good and gave him a major shock, too.
“I’ve been playing Scratch-Offs for years, especially as a truck driver,” Behney told Berks Weekly. “The clerk and I scanned it, and we both just stood there, looking at each other. We didn’t believe it! I thought, ‘There’s got to be something wrong.’”
Behney received a commemorative check and will be collecting his $10,000 per month, minus tax withholdings, for the rest of his life.
Must Read
- You can now build wealth like a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don't have to chase down rent or take 3 A.M tenant calls
- Goldman Sachs used to hoard prime real estate deals for the ultrarich. Two ex-analysts just opened the door for $250
- Robert Kiyosaki begs investors not to miss this ‘explosion’ — says this 1 asset will surge 400% in a year
Join 250,000+ readers and get Moneywise’s best stories and exclusive interviews first — clear insights curated and delivered weekly. Subscribe now.
Does choosing money for life make sense at 87?
It might be surprising to find that Behney chose to collect $10,000 per life rather than taking the $1.6 million lump sum, especially since his life expectancy is unlikely to span several more decades.
However, the decision wasn’t as crazy as it may seem. Like many lottery prizes that offer lifetime payments, the game includes a guaranteed minimum payout.
“If the winner passes away before receiving payment, the beneficiary or beneficiaries as identified by the winner receive the remainder of the guaranteed payments for the prize,” Ewa Swope, press secretary for the Pennsylvania Lottery, told MoneyWise.
Swope also referred MoneyWise to the official game rules, which state that the prize is paid for the winner’s natural life, with the first 25 payments guaranteed. If a winner who elects the annuity option dies before receiving any guaranteed payments, the remaining payments are distributed to designated beneficiaries.
Should you choose the annuity or the lump sum?
Putting life expectancy aside, is the annuity actually the better choice?
Advertisement
“Most people who give advice will tell you to take the amount of money and put it into investments,” said Achim von Bodman, CFP and Senior Tax Manager at Watter CPA. “When the prize is this big, the way taxes work is actually different.”
Von Bodman explained that taking $10,000 a month would generate a $120,000 annual income, placing many winners in a middle tax bracket. Taking the entire prize at once, however, could push a winner into the highest federal tax bracket, where income is taxed at 37%, in addition to any state taxes.
For that reason, von Bodman believes the annuity can be the smarter financial choice.
“The annuity is not just a safer choice,” he said. “It is also cheaper. The annuity is safer and cheaper than taking the amount of money all at once.”
Of course, taxes aren’t the only factor to consider. Your financial goals, investment experience and ability to manage a large windfall should also play a role in the decision. Consulting financial professionals, including accountants and lawyers, can help you make the right choice.
For Behney, though, the choice has already been made. And with any luck, he’ll continue enjoying his $10,000 monthly payments for years to come.
You May Also Like
- Dave Ramsey warns nearly 50% of Americans are making 1 big Social Security mistake — here’s what it is and the simple steps to fix it ASAP
- Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how
- Millionaires under 43 are reshaping investing — just 25% of their portfolios are in stocks. Here’s where their money is going
- Robert Kiyosaki issues grim warning for baby boomers. Many could be ‘wiped out’ and homeless ‘all over’ the country. How to protect yourself now
Christy Bieber has 15 years of experience as a personal finance and legal writer. She has written for many publications including Forbes, Kilplinger, CNN, WSJ, Credit Karma, Insurify and more.
