If you’re close to retirement and have a pension or 401(k), there’s one decision that matters more than almost any other — when and how you take your money . Here’s the part most people don’t realize until it’s too late: requesting your pension or 401(k) as a lump sum can be a mistake.  Once the money is released, taxes are triggered, deadlines begin, and your options can shrink fast. That’s why the most important step isn’t choosing a product. It’s talking to an expert befor