The Globe and Mail reports in its Friday edition that as Canada's real estate development crisis worsens, many retail investors find themselves stuck in struggling funds that lend to construction projects or invest in commercial assets. The Globe's Tim Kiladze writes that they cannot sell and must continue paying annual management fees, creating frustration -- especially for retirees who invested for premium yields and stability, only to see returns decline and distributions slashed. Funds investing in private assets like real estate, infrastructure and private equity are increasingly marketed to retail investors, often claiming better long-term returns than mutual funds and exchange-traded funds focused on stocks. In August, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order to ease pension funds' access to private assets. Recently, Goldman Sachs announced it will invest up to $1-billion (U.S.) in T. Rowe Price Group and partner with it to offer private market products to retail investors. Yet, when private assets struggle, investors can find themselves trapped for years -- and they are required to keep paying the fund managers. Private assets can be good for fund managers because of strong returns and steady fees.