O'Reilly Is a Masterful Lottery Player

question 58

Essay

O'Reilly is a masterful lottery player. The megamillion jackpot is now up to $200 million. If O'Reilly wins the jackpot, he has a choice of receiving $200 million in 5 years or a smaller lump sum currently. Advise O'Reilly on his choice under the following scenarios. Which option should he take and why?
a. O'Reilly's after tax return is 10%. If he chooses the current lump sum option, the lottery will pay him $130 million.
b. O'Reilly's after-tax return is 10%. His current tax rate will be 35% if he receives the lottery payment now. His expected tax rate in five years will be 40%. If he chooses the current lump sum option, the lottery will pay him $100 million.

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Definitions:

Group Leaders

Individuals who guide, influence, and direct a group aiming to achieve common goals.

Baumeister

Refers to Roy F. Baumeister, a psychologist known for his work on the self, social rejection, belongingness, and other aspects of social psychology.

Normative Influence

Social influence whereby individuals change their behavior or attitudes to conform to norms or expectations of a group to gain acceptance or approval.

Prior Commitment

An individual’s agreement in advance to be responsible if trouble occurs: for example, committing oneself to protect the property of another person against theft.