N.J. Couple Collects $195 Million Jackpot

Mar 19, 10:52 PM

Current Headlines: A New Jersey couple says they will take early retirement after winning half of a record-breaking $390 million Mega Millions lottery jackpot.

Elaine and Harold Messner came forward Monday to claim their $195 million prize, WNBC-TV reported.

We feel very fortunate and blessed, Harold Messner, 57, said in a statement. This is that early retirement we've always dreamed of. Now we can do all those things we said we would do once we retired.

The jackpot was the largest jackpot in the history of North American lotteries.

The Messners, who live in Cape May County, chose the cash option, which means they will receive $116,557,083 before the 25 percent federal withholding tax, the New Jersey Lottery said in a release.

The other half of the record jackpot was claimed by a Georgia man earlier this month.