A simple change in asset allocation could have been the recommendation to this people. 1.65% MER isn't that bad.. That is basically what the planner has recommended to increase their expected rate of return. Or he's just pulled that 6.5% rate of return out of the air. Though there could be some benefit to moving away from retail to a higher level service provider such as a investment counsellor. There isn't a guarantee that they will get them the 6.5%. Historical returns aren't an indication of future performance. 

Don't take the commuted value of the DB plan. You are taxed on close to half the money right away. In addition the investment risk has then been shifted from them to you for no reason. Unless you are expected to have a significantly shortened life expectancy. What if when he did this the market then drops 30%.....