I'm 44 years old, just won $7 million in the lottery, but my job has never been more fulfilling — should I keep working or go all in on early retirement?

A $7 million nest egg could provide a generous income — if you invest it wisely

There's no question that $7 million is a lot of money. If you invest it conservatively and it earns just a 4% annual return, it would produce $280,000 annually for you. You could choose to live off that $280,000 income, pay off any debts and potentially save for your child’s education without ever touching the principal. Or, you could live on less and dramatically grow your balance each year.

The only problem is that many lottery winners don't just invest their funds and sit back and live on interest. Research from the American Bankruptcy Institute suggests between 30% and 70% of lottery winners end up going bankrupt because they overspend, often buying expensive assets like luxury real estate that comes with many ongoing costs, including property taxes, utilities and home insurance, or luxury cars that depreciate in value quickly.

You can avoid this fate by ensuring you aren't dramatically changing your lifestyle — and working can help you do that. But only if it won’t come at the cost of your sanity.

Discover how a simple decision today could lead to an extra $1.3 million in retirement

Learn how you can set yourself up for a more prosperous future by exploring why so many people who work with financial advisors retire with more wealth.

Discover the full story and see how you could be on the path to an extra $1.3 million in retirement.

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Working a job you enjoy can make your winnings last

If you stick with a job you like even after winning a lot of money, your career should continue to provide you with structure and purpose, as it always has. You'll be less tempted to go on a spending spree and waste your money if you’re still going about your typical daily routine.

Instead of dramatically changing every aspect of your lifestyle, you can continue doing the things that gave you pleasure before — but with the additional bonus of knowing you'll be financially secure no matter what.

Continuing to work also has another benefit. It makes it easier for you to keep a low profile. Many people who win the lottery end up with people treating them differently because they can get something in return. Relationships can also be affected adversely and it can be hard to trust new people.

If you stay at your job, you don't have to tell anyone that you won the lottery, unless of course they discover your win on their own. But overall if you maintain a modest living, those around you may be more inclined to treat you as they always have.

Ideally, you can use your $7 million to pay off your mortgage and provide for your loved ones, work for as long as you want without major stress and enjoy the freedom that your funds will bring you — and perhaps even future generations.