What is the % of tax taken from a 401K plan when retirement is reached. I was told 30% but that seems like a lot. And also, are pensions taxed?

Generally speaking, all income is taxed, sooner or later. If your pension was tax deferred at the time it was earned, it is subject to being taxed when it is paid out. The advantage being that after retirement one's income is usually lower, hence taxed at a lower rate. Of course, if one's deductions and exemptions are sufficiently large, there may be little or no tax due. Pensions paid out are entirely taxable if they were initially not taxed, again depending on one's taxpayer status; over 65, blind, etc. etc. Best to consult an authority familiar with the individual circumstances.

Thank you for your response!