<prompt> Human: Im 30 and Just discovered I have a pension of about 8k from my first job out of college. Im not familiar with pensions and how they work, ideally, id like to maximize its returns by cashing it out and investing myself. Its fully vested and I can even get payments from it and only gaining about 4 interest. x200B;Currently contributing 12 of my salary to 401k.x200B;help please.  <response>: Your best bet is to do something like a direct roll over to a self directed 401k or other qualified retirement account. 