A mix-up in using their children’s ages led to Fred and Beverly Lifschutz of Woodmere to win a Lotto jackpot of $21,500,000.

“I started playing our daughters’ birthdays and ages as my Lottery numbers a few years ago,” said the father of two. “At some point I started reusing my playcard and never changed my numbers even as my children continued to age.”

The oversight proved lucky for the 78-year-old toy business owner and his 71-year-old retired New York school teacher wife when the former checked the New York Lottery’s website the day after the drawing and realized his set of numbers matched the six drawn on May 18.

“I called my wife to tell her to come home right away,” he said, “I was stunned. I am still stunned.”

Lifschutz purchased the winning ticket on May 17 at 50% Off Cards & Gifts on Franklin Avenue in Hewlett. The pair claimed their jackpot prize two days later at the Lottery’s Customer Service Center in Garden City.

“Of course we are both thrilled,” said Beverly. “But, we’re going to keep living the same lifestyle. We are not extravagant people.”

The Lifschutzs have yet to decide if they want to receive their jackpot prize as an annuity or lump sum. New York’s Lotto, Powerball, and Mega Millions jackpot winners have 60 days from the date they claim their prize to elect to receive a one-time payment representing the current cash value of the jackpot or an annuitized payment.

(Source: LI Herald)