Fortunate Michigan man plans early retirement after $1m win

A routine purchase with unexpected consequences

The winning ticket came from the Michigan Lottery’s King Cashword instant game. According to lottery officials, the Macomb County resident bought the $20 ticket at a Kroger store on 26 Mile Road in Macomb. He used a self-serve machine, a common option for many players, and nothing initially suggested an unusual outcome.

The man scratched the ticket soon after buying it. At first, the result appeared modest. He believed the ticket carried a $5,000 prize, which already felt like a positive return. Moments later, another completed word changed the situation entirely. Ten words appeared on the card, unlocking the game’s $1m top prize. “It was awesome,” the winner said when describing the moment.

Claiming the prize and weighing the options

After confirming the result, the player visited Michigan Lottery headquarters to claim the prize. The win marked the first top prize awarded from the King Cashword game. That detail matters — two additional $1m prizes remain available, according to lottery records.

Like many major winners, the man faced a financial choice. He could accept the full prize through annuity payments spread over time, or take a reduced amount upfront. He selected the lump sum option — roughly $693,000 before taxes. 

According to lottery officials, the man viewed the prize as a major blessing. He said the funds allow him to plan early retirement, an option that previously may not have been realistic.

How King Cashword works for players

King Cashword is designed with multiple prize tiers, offering a wide range of outcomes. Each ticket costs $20, placing it among the higher-priced scratch-off games. The overall odds of winning any prize stand at 1 in 3.28, according to official figures.

The remaining prize structure shows several opportunities still in circulation:

• Two $1m top prizes remain unclaimed

• 18 second-tier prizes of $5,000 are still available

• 401 third-tier prizes of $1,000 remain in play

Lower prize levels range from $500 down to $20. Nevertheless, the Macomb County win stands out — not only for its size, but for its timing as the first top prize claimed.

A quiet moment with lasting impact

Lottery wins often come with public attention and dramatic scenes. This one unfolded quietly inside a grocery store, without witnesses or fanfare. Yet the long-term effects could be significant. A single scratch-off ticket now supports early retirement planning — a rare outcome from an everyday purchase.