President Donald Trump is reportedly preparing to sign an executive order aimed at expanding access to private-market investments within retirement accounts. This could significantly reshape how Americans invest in their 401(k) plans, allowing for a broader range of investment options, including private equity, venture capital, real estate, and hedge funds.

What mhis Means for 401(k) Plans

The Wall Street Journal, citing sources familiar with the matter, revealed that the order will instruct the Department of Labor and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to create regulatory guidelines for employers and plan administrators on how to incorporate private-market assets into 401(k) retirement plans. While the final details are still under review, the move could offer new opportunities for American workers to diversify their retirement portfolios.

Private-market investments, often referred to as private assets, are non-publicly traded financial instruments that have historically been outside the reach of most everyday investors. These include private equity, venture capital, real estate investments, and hedge funds—assets that can offer potentially higher returns but also come with increased risk.

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A man holds back the hands of time on a large clock that stands in front of a large Social Security card. The image conveys the issues of the solvency of the social security system or a person's invetibile march toward their eligiblity for social security

In contrast to the more traditional investment options such as stocks and bonds, which are traded on public exchanges, private assets are typically less liquid and come with higher risks and fees. However, they can offer greater diversification for investors who are looking to enhance their portfolios’ performance.

A win for diversification, says industry experts

Bryan Corbett, the president and CEO of the Managed Funds Association (MFA), a trade group for alternative asset management, praised the anticipated order. Corbett emphasized that giving investors access to private-market investments in their 401(k) plans would enable them to better diversify and enhance their potential for building long-term wealth.

“Expanding access to alternative investments in 401(k) retirement plans will provide more Americans with the diversification and investment options needed to build wealth and save for a successful retirement,” Corbett stated in an interview with Reuters.

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The average monthly benefit amounts vary significantly depending on the age at which a person decides to retire.

The changing landscape: previous administration’s policies

The push to include private assets in retirement accounts isn’t entirely new. During Trump’s first term, the Department of Labor suggested in a 2020 letter that certain private-market assets, like private equity, could be responsibly included in investment products such as target-date funds. However, the Biden administration reversed this policy in 2021, stating that the Department of Labor “does not endorse or recommend such investments” for retirement accounts due to concerns over risk and transparency.

In anticipation of Trump’s executive order, some financial institutions have already taken steps to introduce investment products that blend traditional and private assets. For instance, Apollo Global Management and State Street have rolled out target-date funds that incorporate private-market assets, while Blue Owl Capital recently announced a collaboration with Voya to create 401(k) investment products that include these assets.