[Truth29]

"You know, with the lousy stock market today, I think I’d opt for the 20 year payout."

You are betting that the government will honor its obligation and make the distribution each of the next twenty years.

[Yo-Yo]

What would be the alternative? T-Bills? Banks? Bernie Madoff?

I suppose real estate would be the safest way to store the wealth, along with a few bags of gold coins.

[rey]

Illinois stopped paying out because of the budget. They are also wondering why ticket sales are off.

[VerySadAmerican]

You’re also betting that the dollar will be worth anything in the future plus it’s earning nothing while waiting for you to get a check every year.

[kevkrom]

Powerball is 26 payments, not 20. They buy an annuity in your name - hard to see how they have any ability to not pay it out, the money shouldn’t even pass through them once you’ve claimed the prize.