Winning $25,000 a year for life playing Lucky For Life has a Ypsilanti man adjusting his retirement plans.

Kenneth Overholser, 51, matched the five white balls drawn Jan. 15 – 11-15-32-33-40 – to win the big prize. He bought his winning ticket at the Shell gas station, located at 244 Joe Hall Drive in Ypsilanti.

“I scanned my ticket the morning after the drawing, but I thought the machine was broken because the message kept telling me to see the retailer,” said Overholser. “I stuck the ticket in my wallet and forgot about it until the next day.

“Wednesday morning I scanned the ticket at another retailer and got the same message and that’s when I knew I had a big winner. I was in shock.”

Overholser visited Lottery headquarters Wednesday to claim his big prize. He chose to receive his prize as an annuity. He will receive annual payments of $25,000 for 20 years or life, whichever is greater. With his winnings, he plans to pay for his son’s education and retire earlier.

“I’ve thought a lot about it, and having payments of $25,000 coming in each year for the rest of my life will help me retire sooner and have a more secure retirement,” Overholser said.

For just $2 per play, Lucky For Life gives Lottery players a chance to win prizes ranging from $3 to a lifetime of cash. To win the game’s top prize of $1,000 a day for life, players must match all five winning numbers ranging from 1 to 48, plus one Lucky Ball ranging from 1 to 18. Players who match all five winning numbers, but not the Lucky Ball, will win $25,000 a year for life. Lucky For Life drawings take place every Monday and Thursday at 10:35 p.m. Tickets may be purchased at Lottery retailers across the state.