For the two winners who have come forward to split the $687.8 million Powerball jackpot, investing is about to take on a whole new meaning. Robert Bailey, a 67-year-old retired postal worker in New York, claimed his lump-sum share — about $125.4 million after tax withholdings — on Wednesday. The other winner, Lerynne West, a 51-year-old mother of three in Redfield, Iowa, came forward more than a week ago to claim her haul of $140.6 million (also after tax withholdings). The amounts are not the same due to different state and/or local tax withholding rates. Both of the winners will see doors open to an investment world that most Americans will never get a direct peek at.

Justin Sullivan | Getty Images

"At that level, you have access to the types of investments that university endowments and pension funds can use," said Matt Chancey, a certified financial planner based in Orlando. "It doesn't mean the investments are more risky, per se, you just have to qualify." For both Bailey and West, that shouldn't be a problem. To get access to more exclusive investments opportunities, wealthier people can be deemed "accredited" by federal regulators — meaning they meet the test of having at least $1 million in investable assets (excluding the value of their home) or average yearly earnings of $200,000 ($300,000 for married couples).

Top 10 lottery jackpots Rank Amount Date won Game Winner locations 1 $1.586 billion Jan. 13, 2016 Powerball CA-FL-TN 2 $1.54 billion Oct. 23, 2018 Mega Millions SC 3 $758.7 million Aug. 23, 2017 Powerball MA 4 $687.8 million Oct. 27, 2018 Powerball IA-NY 5 $656 million Mar. 30, 2012 Mega Millions KS-IL-MD 6 $648 million Dec. 17, 2013 Mega Millions CA-GA 7 $590.5 million 18-May-13 Powerball FL 8 $587.5 million Nov. 28, 2012 Powerball AZ-MO 9 $564.1 million Feb. 11, 2015 Powerball NC-PR-TX 10 $559.7 million Jan. 6, 2018 Powerball NH

Investment opportunities that will become available to the winners run the gamut. For instance, they could gain access to private equity funds that invest in companies whose shares don't trade on stock exchanges. Or, they could get the chance to invest in commercial real estate, energy projects like oil exploration, or venture capital funds that invest in things like tech startups. In other words, once you have real wealth, you're considered to be a more sophisticated investor than the average person, Chancey said. "But getting a windfall of that amount doesn't necessarily mean you're actually a sophisticated investor," he said. This is why enlisting the help of professionals is worthwhile for people who come into sudden wealth. Both Powerball winners could even look into hiring a dedicated team of professionals — a financial advisor, an attorney and an accountant — to exclusively handle their riches.