New Jersey Powerball Jackpot: $847 Million Won in Montvale — What It Means for the Winner and the State
A single Powerball ticket sold in New Jersey matched all six numbers to win an $847 million prize, the ninth-largest Powerball jackpot in history. The advertised grand prize can be taken as an annuity or as a one-time cash option of $363.1 million before taxes. The drawing numbers were 15, 34, 41, 53, and 56, with Powerball 21 and a Power Play multiplier of 2x. The win was confirmed for a ticket purchased in New Jersey, underscoring the state’s role in one of the game’s biggest fortunes.
Winning Numbers, Location, and Immediate Details
The winning numbers drawn were white balls 15, 34, 41, 53, 56 and the red Powerball 21. The Power Play multiplier for the drawing was 2x. Officials said a single ticket sold in New Jersey matched all six numbers, securing the $847 million prize, the ninth-largest in Powerball history. The ticket was purchased at Wegmans Food Market in Montvale, Bergen County, from an automated machine on Tuesday morning. Wegmans will receive a $30,000 bonus for selling the winning ticket and has announced it will donate the bonus to Wegman’s Check Out Hunger campaign for the Community Food Bank of New Jersey. As of the reporting time, no winner had come forward to claim the prize.
Cash Option Versus Annuity: What the Winner Takes Home
The prize offers two payout options. The cash option provides a one-time payment of $363.1 million before taxes, while the annuity pays the full $847 million in 30 graduated payments over 29 years. Both options are before taxes. Here is how the cash option tax scenario typically plays out, using 2026 federal and New Jersey rates and assuming a single filer with no other income or deductions:
| Stage | Federal tax (24%) | New Jersey tax (8%) | Amount left for winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Withholding at payout | $87.1 million | $29.0 million | About $246.9 million |
| Owed when tax return is filed | About $134.3 million | About $39.0 million | About $189.8 million |
In plain terms, the cash option leaves the winner with about $190 million after taxes under these assumptions. The actual amount depends on the filer’s situation and tax filings. The two-stage tax process is why the cash option is roughly a little over half of the cash value and well under the advertised jackpot.
Payout Options in Context: Annuity Versus Cash
The annuity option would deliver $847 million in 30 graduated payments over 29 years, averaging about $28.2 million per year before taxes. After federal and state taxes at current rates, that yearly amount would be closer to $14.8 million on average. In total, the annuity pays more over time, but tax rates can change, and the cash option provides immediate access to all funds for investment, charitable giving, or personal use.
As a real-world reminder of the cash choice, Mega Millions winner Richard Wahl of Vernon chose the cash option for his 2018 prize, taking $324 million before taxes. This anecdote underscores that most winners opt for the lump-sum payment rather than installments.
Can the Powerball Winner Remain Anonymous in New Jersey?
Yes. New Jersey allows lottery winners to remain anonymous since 2020. The winner’s identity does not have to be disclosed publicly, and the Lottery may still announce the county where the winner resides, the store that sold the ticket, and the prize amount. This privacy policy is an important consideration for jackpot winners in the state.
Claim Timeline and Practical Next Steps
New Jersey Powerball winners have one year from the drawing date to claim their prize. For the November 4, 2026 drawing, that deadline is November 4, 2027. Immediate steps commonly recommended by officials include signing the back of the ticket, taking a photo of it, and storing it in a safe place. Winners are advised to consult with a lawyer and a tax professional before presenting a claim to the lottery. As James Carey, the executive director of the New Jersey Lottery, has urged, a winner should sign the back of the ticket, photograph it, store it securely, and contact trusted professionals to help manage such a life-changing sum.
In addition to the jackpot, other prizes are possible. For example, a ticket that matches the five white balls—without the Powerball—pays $1 million, or $2 million with the Power Play option.
New Jersey’s Biggest Lottery Jackpots: A Local Context
This win ranks as New Jersey’s second-largest lottery jackpot and the state’s largest Powerball prize. For context, here is a compact view of top New Jersey jackpots, including game, amount, year, and where the ticket was sold:
| Jackpot | Game | Year | Where sold |
|---|---|---|---|
| $1.13 billion | Mega Millions | 2024 | Neptune, Monmouth County |
| $847 million | Powerball | 2026 | Montvale, Bergen County |
| $533 million | Mega Millions | 2018 | Riverdale, Morris County |
| $429.6 million | Powerball | 2016 | Trenton, Mercer County |
| $390 million | Mega Millions | 2007 | Woodbine, Cape May County |
South Jersey has its own notable moment as well. In 2007, Harold and Elaine Messner of Cape May County won half of a $390 million Mega Millions jackpot, with a ticket purchased at a Woodbine liquor store; they took the cash option of about $116.6 million before taxes and retired.
The Odds: How Likely Is It?
To win the Powerball jackpot, a player must match all five white balls and the red Powerball. The odds of that are 1 in 292,201,338. The overall odds of winning any prize are 1 in 24.87. Powerball drawings occur on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday nights, with the next drawing after this win scheduled for the following Saturday, when the jackpot resets to a lower starting amount.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where was the $847 million Powerball ticket sold? The Wegmans at 100 Farm View in Montvale, Bergen County.
How much will the New Jersey Powerball winner get after taxes? About $190 million if the cash option of $363.1 million is taken, after federal tax at 37% and New Jersey tax at 10.75%. The annuity would pay about $14.8 million per year after tax for 29 years.
Does New Jersey tax lottery winnings? Yes. New Jersey taxes prizes over $10,000, with 8% withheld on prizes over $500,000 at payout, and further tax due at filing at marginal rates (federal plus state) for large prizes.
What were the winning Powerball numbers on Nov. 4, 2026? 15, 34, 41, 53, 56, Powerball 21; Power Play was 2x.
What is the biggest lottery jackpot ever won in New Jersey? The $1.13 billion Mega Millions jackpot won in Neptune in March 2024.
Tax figures are estimates based on 2026 federal and New Jersey rates for a single filer with no other income, and are not tax advice.
Privacy, Claims, and Community Impact
Beyond the individual winner, the state’s lottery proceeds fund critical programs, including the state’s pension system. The distribution of funds supports communities and residents across New Jersey each year. In this latest event, Wegmans’ bonus to the Check Out Hunger campaign will benefit the Community Food Bank of New Jersey, illustrating how a single jackpot can ripple through local services and charitable efforts.
The path from ticket purchase to final disposition involves careful steps and professional guidance. The winner’s privacy, the store’s role in the local economy, and the ongoing public interest in how the prize funds are used all contribute to a broader narrative about how such life-changing winnings affect communities as well as the individuals who win them.
Disclaimer: The figures shown are estimates based on 2026 tax rates for a single filer with no other income and are not tax advice. Actual amounts depend on the winner’s tax situation and filings.