Advance man wins $200,000 a year for life in lottery

ADVANCE, Mo. -- A construction worker from Advance now has financial security after winning a multi-million dollar prize from the Missouri Lottery.

Aaron Cantrell, 26, won the top prize on a "$200,000 A Year For Life" scratchers ticket. He chose the annuity option, so the prize will pay him $200,000 a year for the rest of his life, with a guaranteed minimum payment of 20 years.

Cantrell purchased the $20 ticket Jan. 13 at Ross Minit Mart, 33468 Highway 25, in Advance.

"I just walked in to get a bottle of water and told the lady to go ahead and give me one," Cantrell said.

He scratched the ticket later at a friend's house while watching a basketball game on TV. After uncovering the "Life" symbol, Cantrell began to realize his life would soon change.

"I went out to my parents' house and showed them. We just talked for a while. I was pretty excited," Cantrell said.

Cantrell took several weeks to decide how he would take the payment. Winners have the option of taking a lump-sum payment of $3 million, or taking the annuity. After seeking advice from his parents and financial professionals, he settled on the annuity option, which will guarantee him payments for as long as he lives.

"I took some time and thought about it," Cantrell said. "If you take it in the annuity, you're not going to go broke. That's why I chose that route."

Cantrell plans to purchase a family home and settle down to a simpler life. He thinks he'll continue to work his construction job, but he will take a little more time to hunt and fish.

"I'm not retiring, but it's kind of like a retirement," Cantrell said. "I'll keep getting paid until I'm out of here. It worked out great for me."

"$200,000 A Year For Life" is a $20 scratchers game that officially began Jan. 31, 2009. This is the third and final top prize to be claimed in this game. Cantrell is the first winner to take the annuity payment of $200,000 a year for life. The other two winners opted for a lump-sum payment of $3 million.

Cantrell became the 43rd instant ticket millionaire and the 290th Missouri Lottery player to win $1 million or more. For more information about Missouri Lottery games, visit Molottery.com.