Most Lottery Winners Keep Their Day Jobs After Winning

You've fantasized about it: winning the lottery, walking into your boss's office, and dramatically quitting. But here's the twist—most lottery winners don't actually do that.

Research shows that around 85% of lottery jackpot winners continue working in some capacity after their windfall. A 2004 study of Iowa and Ohio lottery winners found that 63% kept working full-time at the same company, while others started businesses (10%) or switched to part-time (11%).

The Swedish Evidence

Researchers Bengt Furaker and Anna Hedenus studied Swedish lottery winners and discovered that less than 12% quit working entirely. About 24% took extended unpaid leave, 16% reduced their hours, but a whopping 62% made no changes to their work schedule at all.

Even when looking at massive wins, a National Bureau of Economic Research study tracking 3,362 Swedish winners who scored at least $100,000 found that while people cut back on work, completely quitting was rare. Most just took longer vacations.

Why Keep the 9-to-5?

Money solves money problems, but work provides something deeper:

• Social connections and workplace friendships
• A sense of purpose and achievement
• Status and identity beyond a bank balance
• Structure and routine in daily life

As researchers noted, "there are a lot of other aspects to work that play a big role" beyond the paycheck. Your job gives you something to do, somewhere to be, and people who know you as more than just "that lottery winner."

The Reality Check

A 1980s Berkeley study found that only 23% of million-dollar winners quit their jobs. Decades later, the pattern holds. Work isn't just about survival—it's about meaning.

So before you buy that next ticket and plan your dramatic exit, remember: you'll probably be joining the majority who stay put, just with a much nicer car in the parking lot.