If you have ever wondered what it would be like to receive a fixed sum of money every month rather than a one-off jackpot, you are not alone. Set For Life, one of the UK National Lottery games, offers a unique prize that delivers regular monthly payments to those who match the winning numbers.
Over time, more people have heard about these long-term prizes, but how many have actually won? Looking at the winners gives a clear picture of how this game has played out since its very first draw.
Whether you are curious about how many top prizes have been claimed or how the other prize tiers work, this guide brings together the key facts in one place.
How Many Top Prize Winners Are There In The UK?
The Set For Life game, launched in March 2019, offers a main prize that is different from other draws. Match all five main numbers plus the Life Ball and you receive £10,000 every month for 30 years.
Since launch, more than 120 people in the UK have won the top prize. Each winner has their payments arranged as monthly instalments, continuing for three decades.
Draws take place twice a week, on Monday and Thursday evenings, and official totals are updated after every draw on The National Lottery website. Winners are spread across the UK, with no pattern of one area producing more top prize tickets than another. Wherever a winner lives, the monthly amount is the same.
If you want a snapshot of real stories, the website also features selected winner news, which gives context about where and when some of the wins were claimed.
Curious about the other prize levels and how they compare to the top award? The tiered structure below puts those monthly payouts in context.
Winner Numbers By Prize Tier
Set For Life has multiple prize tiers, and what you win depends on how many numbers you match. It is not just about the top prize. Matching all five main numbers without the Life Ball pays £10,000 every month for one year. Below that, matching four main numbers plus the Life Ball pays £250, while four main numbers on their own pays £50.
There are prizes for smaller matches too. Match three main numbers and the Life Ball and you receive £30, while three main numbers pays £20. At the entry level, two main numbers with the Life Ball pays £10 and two main numbers pays £5.
Every draw creates thousands of winners across these tiers, with the highest counts naturally coming from the lower levels because those outcomes are much more common than the combinations required for the top awards. The exact number of winners in each category is published after every draw on the official site.
Knowing the tiers is one thing, but how likely is each outcome? The odds help put these results into perspective.
What Are The Odds Of Winning Set For Life?
With Set For Life, each line requires five main numbers from 1 to 47 and one Life Ball from 1 to 10. The odds for each tier are based on all the possible number combinations in a single draw.
To win the top prize by matching five main numbers and the Life Ball, the odds are 1 in 15,339,390. Matching five main numbers without the Life Ball, the second tier, comes in at 1 in 1,704,377. As you move down the tiers, the odds improve. For example, matching two main numbers has odds of 1 in 15.
These odds remain the same from draw to draw and do not change based on how many people enter. The structure is designed so that there are many more smaller wins than top prizes, which is the norm in lottery games.
Now that the chances are clear, the next question is how those prizes are actually paid when a claim is approved.
How Are Set For Life Winners Paid?
Lump Sum and Annuity Options
Set For Life stands out because winners receive regular payments rather than a single cheque for the top prize. If you win that main prize, £10,000 is paid into your bank account every month for 30 years. These are fixed payments and do not increase over time.
The second-tier prize is £10,000 every month for one year. Lower-tier prizes are paid as single cash amounts.
If a winner dies or becomes seriously ill before all payments are made, the remaining prize can be paid to their estate or beneficiaries as a lump sum, in line with the game rules and UK legal requirements. Outside of these specific circumstances, the standard payout for the top prize remains monthly for the full term.
With payment methods covered, the practical side of claiming comes next.
How Do Winners Claim Their Prize?
Claiming a Set For Life prize in the UK depends on how much has been won and whether the ticket was bought in a shop or online.
For retail tickets, smaller prizes can usually be paid by the retailer. Larger wins may need to be collected at a Post Office or through an arranged appointment with The National Lottery, especially for high-value claims that require extra checks.
For online entries, prizes up to a set threshold are paid automatically into the player’s account. For larger amounts, The National Lottery gets in touch to guide the claimant through validation and payment. Top-tier prizes involve a short verification process, including proof of identity and eligibility.
Once your claim is confirmed, payment is arranged according to the prize tier. For Set For Life top prizes, this means monthly instalments as outlined earlier.
How Are Winners Announced And Verified?
Each draw is conducted on scheduled evenings and is overseen by independent adjudicators. The winning numbers are then published on The National Lottery website and are available on retailer terminals shortly after the draw.
If your entry matches a winning combination, the verification process ensures that the prize is paid to the rightful holder. Online winners receive notifications in their account and may be contacted directly. In-store ticket holders present their slip at a participating retailer to start the claim.
Verification includes identity checks and, where required, supporting documents. Claimed tickets are checked against secure systems to confirm authenticity and that no previous payment has been made. After validation, the number of winners in each tier is added to the public results. Individual winners remain anonymous unless they choose to share their story.
**The information provided in this blog is intended for educational purposes and should not be construed as betting advice or a guarantee of success. Always gamble responsibly.