Sharon

Locked in means you can’t easily sell or move investments because of penalties, taxes, regulations, or contracts.
Retirement accounts often create lock-in, limiting early withdrawals and potentially triggering higher taxes if funds are accessed early.
Employee incentive securities can be locked in: stock, options, warrants
Mandatory vesting periods
Extra holding periods before selling
IPO lock-ins can restrict insiders from selling or transferring shares for 90 days to several years after going public.
Planning steps include weighing penalties before switching accounts and consulting professionals to reduce adverse lock-in effects.
I’m seeing more attention on how investment restrictions can limit flexibility, especially in retirement plans and employee equity. The key is planning ahead, understanding tax and contract limits, and getting guidance before making changes.

Understanding 'Locked in' and Investment Impact

Canada’s headline CPI ran ~2.5% in Early-Q1, and could soon reach the BoC’s 2% target.
Easing shelter inflation helped, but core services ex-shelter stayed >3%, and groceries were ↑~5%.
Investors may price faster cuts on near-target CPI, but the BoC emphasizes core inflation and services.
Median and trim stayed ~2.5%; energy base effects helped yearly inflation, but an oil spike could reverse that.
Jobs softened in Early-Q1: employment fell and unemployment rose to 6.7%; RBC expects a long pause through 2026.
I’m watching inflation cool toward the central bank’s target, but some everyday costs still feel stubborn. With the job market softening, policymakers have more room to wait before cutting rates.