DC plans once you retire: What do you do with them?

When you retire with a defined contribution pension, the money doesn't simply stay put, it typically moves into a locked-in account and later into a LIF that pays you income, and this piece lays out the choices that come with that shift. It walks through three broad paths: leaving the money with the pension provider if you're happy with the funds and service, moving it to an advisor whose total cost and guidance you can weigh against what you have now, or taking it to a self-directed discount brokerage if you're confident managing investments on your own. The trade-offs come down to fees, the level of support you actually want, and watching for cost changes once funds leave the group plan. It's a practical read for anyone with a DC plan nearing retirement and unsure whether their investments should follow them.