Originally Posted by jigg

you don't win $200 million, that's the annuity -- what they expect to pay out over the course of 20-30 years from the investment.

The actual cash value is 50% of the stated jackpot, there's another 28-38% in fees Uncle Sam wants for the privilege of just winning.

The annuity earns around 4% a year and it comes with a service fee of like 1% or something so in reality you're earning 3% then have to pay taxes etc