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Alternatives in Defined Contribution Plans

August 19, 2025 | Matt Nowak, AIF®, Associate Director of Defined Contribution, Alan Lin, CIMA®, Defined Contribution Specialist

On August 7, 2025, President Trump signed an executive order to expand alternative investment access in defined contribution retirement plans (e.g., 401(k) plans). This order instructs the Department of Labor (DOL) to reexamine its guidance to plan sponsors incorporating alternative investments into these types of retirement plans. According to the order, the six classes of alternative assets included are:

Private markets investments, including private equity and private debt
Real estate
Actively managed vehicles investing in digital assets
Commodities
Infrastructure
Lifetime income strategies, including longevity risk-sharing pools

Read > Alternatives in Defined Contribution Plans

Matt Nowak, AIF®
Associate Director of Defined Contribution

Get to Know Matt

Alan Lin, CIMA®
Defined Contribution Specialist

Get to Know Alan

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