Jun 14, 2026, 1:40 AM@vicfroh This is misinformation. Please don't spread it.
Ref: https://federate.social/@jik/115540071566264416
- Jun 14, 2026, 1:40 AM
Replies
Patch You UpJumpmed@mastodon.socialJun 14, 2026, 2:58 AM@jik @vicfroh If the prize amount is given to you as a smaller amount if you choose the lump sum, then that difference is being taken by the government. Calling it a fee or a penalty instead of a tax is just as bad as corporations charging hidden fees after advertising a lower amount. It's effectively a tax.
I'm not saying it's necessarily a bad thing that the government keeps such a large chunk of the money. Nobody needs a billion dollars.
ewhacewhac@mastodon.socialJun 14, 2026, 4:29 AM@Jumpmed @jik @vicfroh
> If the prize amount is given to you as a
> smaller amount if you choose the lump
> sum, then that difference is being
> taken by the government.INCORRECT.
The lottery does not have $2.04 billion in cash. They have $997.6 million. If you take the lump sum, that's what you get. If you take the 30 year payout, they put the $997.6 million into a self-amortizing annuity that pays you interest -- exactly like you would pay interest to a bank on a mortgage.
- Jun 14, 2026, 4:35 AM
@Jumpmed
Congratulations! Your reply is such an incredible example of moving the goalposts, missing the point, and tortured (false) logic that you get to join the exclusive club of people whose first interactions with me online were also their last.
*plonk* 
Jun 14, 2026, 6:52 AM