No one told you a pension lump sum is not automatically better than a monthly pension.
One gives you control of a pile of money.
The other gives you income for life.
The biggest pension number is not automatically the best deal
Some pensions offer a monthly check for life.
Others also offer a lump sum.
The bigger-looking number is not enough to tell you which provides more value.
No one told you...
No one told you your pension choice can affect your spouse after you die.
A larger payment that ends at your death may leave a surviving spouse with less income than a smaller payment that includes survivor benefits.