Free tool · official prize rules

Lifetime prizes: lump sum or annuity, in plain arithmetic.

Some Canadian lottery prizes are paid for life or as one lump sum, at the winner’s choice. Pick a prize and a number of years: the calculator adds up the annuity payments, shows the year their total passes the lump sum, and quotes the official rules that decide who can take which option. This is arithmetic, not financial advice.

Sources read October 28, 2026.

Prize$1,000 a day or $7,000,000 once. Payments counted as 365 days a year (a leap year adds one more day): $365,000 a year.

Compare over

A number of years From an age to an age

Years of payments

Discount rate, % a year (optional)Leave blank for plain totals. If you enter a rate, it is yours: Lottizen doesn’t suggest one.

Annuity payments over 20 years: $365,000 × 20 = $7,300,000, against a lump sum of $7,000,000 ($300,000 more than the lump sum, before any discounting).

When the plain total passes the lump sum: it equals $7,000,000 after 7,000 payments and passes it with the next one, in year 20, after 19.18 years of payments.

Over the 20-year minimum period alone: $7,300,000.

Arithmetic only: each payment counted at face value. No tax, inflation or life expectancy is assumed. This is arithmetic, not financial advice.

What the calculator does and doesn’t do

It multiplies the official payment by the number of years you enter and compares the total with the official lump sum. That is all the plain total is: nobody knows in advance how many years a winner will be paid.
The discount rate is optional and has no default. If you enter one, each payment is divided by (1 + rate) raised to the time until it is paid; Lottizen suggests no rate.
The tax treatment differs between the options, and the rules below say how: the Daily Grand annuity is grossed up for income tax at the claim, and Loto-Québec states its weekly payment is net of tax and its lump sum not taxable. The calculator adds no tax, inflation or life-expectancy assumption of its own.
It recommends neither option. This is arithmetic, not financial advice: a winner deciding between the two should ask the lottery and an independent professional.

The prizes and their official rules

Every rule below is quoted from the operator’s own page or PDF, with the link.

Daily Grand (Grande Vie in Québec) top prize, 5/5 + Grand Number

Interprovincial Lottery Corporation (sold by every provincial lottery) · draw game · Lottizen page

“Annuity of $1,000 a day* for life or a single lump sum cash payment of $7,000,000” (OLG — DAILY GRAND Game Conditions (in effect January 22, 2024))

In plain figures: $1,000 a day, counted as 365 days a year (a leap year adds one more day), is $365,000 a year; the lump sum is $7,000,000. Daily Grand's game conditions: an annuity “for a minimum period of 20 years”.

Minimum payment period: “‘annuity prize’ means a prize consisting of the issuance of an annuity (for a minimum period of 20 years) by a third party provider selected by ILC” (OLG — DAILY GRAND Game Conditions (in effect January 22, 2024))
How long it lasts: “The annuity prizes on DAILY GRAND are intended as true “for life” prizes, meaning they last for the life of the winner. There is no set maximum on the length of the payments, but there is a minimum of 20 years for annuity payments.” (WCLC — Frequently Asked Questions (DAILY GRAND))
If the winner dies: “If the winner passes away within 20 years, the winner’s beneficiary would have the option to receive either the remaining annuity payments in the same amount and frequency for the balance of the 20-year term or the commuted value of the remainder of the annuity (i.e. value of the balance of the 20-year term) as a lump sum. … However, if the winner passes away after more than 20 years, the annuity is complete and no further payments are made.” (WCLC — Frequently Asked Questions (DAILY GRAND))
When only the lump sum is paid: “ILC shall award the single lump sum cash payment … in lieu of the annuity prize in the event that: … b) the winner has not attained the age of majority; or c) the winner of an annuity prize resides outside any of the Provinces or Territories of Canada; or d) there is more than one winner of an annuity prize or a winning ticket is shared by more than one person” (OLG — DAILY GRAND Game Conditions (in effect January 22, 2024))
Choosing: “The prize option chosen by the winner shall be final and binding upon the winner and, if the winner fails to select one of these options … within the time period specified by ILC or by the third party provider for doing so, the winner will be deemed to have selected the single lump sum cash payment option.” (OLG — DAILY GRAND Game Conditions (in effect January 22, 2024))
Tax: “the third party provider will calculate the gross amount of each of the annuity payments based on the highest marginal Federal (Canada) and Provincial or Territorial income tax rate … to provide to the winner a net amount after payment of such Federal and Provincial or Territorial income tax approximately equivalent to the amount of the annuity prize … No adjustment shall be made for any future change in the applicable Federal, Provincial or Territorial income tax rates or if the winner moves to a different Province, Territory or country.” (OLG — DAILY GRAND Game Conditions (in effect January 22, 2024))
Payment frequency: “Payable at intervals determined by ILC at its sole discretion.” (OLG — DAILY GRAND Game Conditions (in effect January 22, 2024))

Sources read October 28, 2026.

Daily Grand (Grande Vie in Québec) second prize, 5/5 main numbers

Interprovincial Lottery Corporation (sold by every provincial lottery) · draw game · Lottizen page

“Annuity of $25,000 a year for life or a single lump sum cash payment of $500,000” (OLG — DAILY GRAND Game Conditions (in effect January 22, 2024))

In plain figures: $25,000 a year, one $25,000 payment a year, is $25,000 a year; the lump sum is $500,000. Daily Grand's game conditions: an annuity “for a minimum period of 20 years”.

Minimum payment period: “‘annuity prize’ means a prize consisting of the issuance of an annuity (for a minimum period of 20 years) by a third party provider selected by ILC” (OLG — DAILY GRAND Game Conditions (in effect January 22, 2024))
How long it lasts: “The annuity prizes on DAILY GRAND are intended as true “for life” prizes, meaning they last for the life of the winner. There is no set maximum on the length of the payments, but there is a minimum of 20 years for annuity payments.” (WCLC — Frequently Asked Questions (DAILY GRAND))
If the winner dies: “If the winner passes away within 20 years, the winner’s beneficiary would have the option to receive either the remaining annuity payments in the same amount and frequency for the balance of the 20-year term or the commuted value of the remainder of the annuity (i.e. value of the balance of the 20-year term) as a lump sum. … However, if the winner passes away after more than 20 years, the annuity is complete and no further payments are made.” (WCLC — Frequently Asked Questions (DAILY GRAND))
When only the lump sum is paid: “ILC shall award the single lump sum cash payment … in lieu of the annuity prize in the event that: … b) the winner has not attained the age of majority; or c) the winner of an annuity prize resides outside any of the Provinces or Territories of Canada; or d) there is more than one winner of an annuity prize or a winning ticket is shared by more than one person” (OLG — DAILY GRAND Game Conditions (in effect January 22, 2024))
Choosing: “The prize option chosen by the winner shall be final and binding upon the winner and, if the winner fails to select one of these options … within the time period specified by ILC or by the third party provider for doing so, the winner will be deemed to have selected the single lump sum cash payment option.” (OLG — DAILY GRAND Game Conditions (in effect January 22, 2024))
Tax: “the third party provider will calculate the gross amount of each of the annuity payments based on the highest marginal Federal (Canada) and Provincial or Territorial income tax rate … to provide to the winner a net amount after payment of such Federal and Provincial or Territorial income tax approximately equivalent to the amount of the annuity prize … No adjustment shall be made for any future change in the applicable Federal, Provincial or Territorial income tax rates or if the winner moves to a different Province, Territory or country.” (OLG — DAILY GRAND Game Conditions (in effect January 22, 2024))
Payment frequency: “Payable at intervals determined by ILC at its sole discretion.” (OLG — DAILY GRAND Game Conditions (in effect January 22, 2024))

Sources read October 28, 2026.

OLG MEGA CASH FOR LIFE, INSTANT game No. 1185 ($10 scratch ticket), top prize

OLG · scratch ticket · Lottizen page

“win $2,500 a week for life or a single lump sum of $2,000,000” (OLG — Player's Guide Fact Sheet, MEGA CASH FOR LIFE, INSTANT Lottery Game No. 1185 (PDF))

In plain figures: $2,500 a week, counted as 52 weekly payments a year, is $130,000 a year; the lump sum is $2,000,000. OLG's general Rules Respecting Lottery Games name a 20-year minimum annuity period unless a game's conditions set another; the game's fact sheet doesn't mention one. Under those rules, payments to a beneficiary are at OLG's option.

Minimum payment period (OLG's general rule): “If an annuity prize winner who selected the annuity payments option dies prior to the conclusion of the 20-year minimum annuity period, or such other minimum annuity period set out in the Game Conditions for that game, the Corporation may, at its option, permit an individual who is the winner’s beneficiary to receive the annuity payments for the balance of such annuity period” (OLG — Rules Respecting Lottery Games (effective June 17, 2023), sections 5.8–5.13 (PDF))
The lump sum: “The single cash payment will be a fixed amount determined by the Corporation, regardless of the age and gender of the winner and will extinguish the winner’s entitlement to all annuity payments. The prize option chosen by the winner shall be final and binding” (OLG — Rules Respecting Lottery Games (effective June 17, 2023), sections 5.8–5.13 (PDF))
When only the lump sum may be paid: “If an annuity prize winner resides outside Ontario at the time of the claim or if the Corporation foresees any present or future difficulty for the Corporation in processing the annuity prize, the Corporation reserves the right to award a single cash payment in lieu of annuity payments. … For group play, annuity payments are not available, group play winners are deemed to have selected the single cash payment option.” (OLG — Rules Respecting Lottery Games (effective June 17, 2023), sections 5.8–5.13 (PDF))
Tax: “The Corporation is not responsible for providing financial or tax advice. However, for a lottery game which offers annuity prizes, the Corporation may calculate the gross amount of each of the annuity payments based on the highest marginal Provincial (Ontario) and Federal (Canada) income tax rate applying to Ontario residents” (OLG — Rules Respecting Lottery Games (effective June 17, 2023), sections 5.8–5.13 (PDF))
Age and deadline: “Lottery prizes will not be paid to anyone under 18 years of age. … Prizes must be claimed by August 31, 2029.” (OLG — Player's Guide Fact Sheet, MEGA CASH FOR LIFE, INSTANT Lottery Game No. 1185 (PDF))

Sources read October 28, 2026.

Loto-Québec Gagnant à vie, scratch game 7-6902 ($5 ticket), top prize

Loto-Québec · scratch ticket · Lottizen page

“Le gagnant a le choix entre 1 000 $ par semaine à vie ou un montant forfaitaire de 1 000 000 $.” (Loto-Québec — Gagnant à vie (7-6902), règles (PDF, French))

In plain figures: $1,000 a week, counted as 52 weekly payments a year, is $52,000 a year; the lump sum is $1,000,000. Loto-Québec's rules: the first 20 years pass to the heirs if the winner dies; shorter for a winner over 71 at the claim (until the winner would have turned 91).

Who can take the annuity: “Le gagnant qui désire se prévaloir de la rente à vie doit être âgé de 18 ans ou plus, résider au Québec et être le seul à avoir endossé le billet.” Our translation: A winner who wants the life annuity must be 18 or older, live in Québec and be the only person who signed the ticket. (Loto-Québec — Gagnant à vie (7-6902), règles (PDF, French))
Tax: “Plutôt que de choisir la rente, il peut choisir un montant forfaitaire de 1 000 000 $ qui est non imposable. En ce qui concerne la rente, c’est un montant de 1 000 $ net d’impôt qui lui est versé hebdomadairement.” Our translation: Instead of the annuity, the winner can choose a lump sum of $1,000,000, which is not taxable. The annuity pays $1,000 a week net of tax. (Loto-Québec — Gagnant à vie (7-6902), règles (PDF, French))
If the winner dies (first 20 years): “Si le gagnant décède à l’intérieur des 20 premières années suivant la date de réclamation du lot, celle-ci est transférable à ses héritiers légaux. Les héritiers reçoivent alors la même rente, payée à la même fréquence, pendant le reste de ces 20 premières années.” Our translation: If the winner dies within the first 20 years after claiming, the annuity passes to the legal heirs, who receive the same payments at the same frequency for the rest of those first 20 years. (Loto-Québec — Gagnant à vie (7-6902), règles (PDF, French))
Winners over 71: “Pour un gagnant âgé de plus de 71 ans au moment de la réclamation du lot, la durée minimale de versements est réduite. Dans ce cas, il va de soi que le gagnant a droit à la rente à vie. En cas de décès du gagnant, ses héritiers ne peuvent bénéficier de la rente que jusqu’à la date anniversaire où le gagnant aurait eu 91 ans (Loi de l’impôt sur le revenu du Canada).” Our translation: For a winner older than 71 when claiming, the minimum payment period is shorter. The winner still receives the annuity for life. If the winner dies, the heirs can receive it only until the date the winner would have turned 91 (Income Tax Act of Canada). (Loto-Québec — Gagnant à vie (7-6902), règles (PDF, French))
If the winner dies before choosing: “Advenant que le gagnant décède avant qu’il n’ait signifié à Loto-Québec son choix de gros lot (la rente ou le montant forfaitaire), ses héritiers légaux n’ont droit qu’au montant forfaitaire.” Our translation: If the winner dies before telling Loto-Québec which option they choose, the legal heirs are entitled only to the lump sum. (Loto-Québec — Gagnant à vie (7-6902), règles (PDF, French))

Sources read October 28, 2026.

Prizes not included

Lotto Max, Lotto 6/49. Their jackpots are paid as one lump sum; there is no annuity option.
OLG Cash for Life (INSTANT game No. 1184). OLG's fact sheet for the game names no lump-sum amount, so there is nothing official to compare with.
Other lifetime scratch prizes. Listed only once the agency's own rules or fact sheet state both the annuity and the lump sum.

A scratch game’s lifetime prizes can all be claimed while tickets are still sold; check what the agency’s list shows on the game’s page before buying. For the odds of the draw games, see the official lottery odds.