Fitting Private Markets Into 401(k) Plans (Podcast)

Transcript

The following transcript of this discussion was edited for clarity.

Private markets have long been reserved for pensions, endowments, and the wealthy. Now policymakers in the US, UK, and EU are opening these markets to ordinary retirement savers.

In the US, the biggest test is the 401(k) system, home to more than $9 trillion and the world's tightest fiduciary constraints. A recent White House directive opened the door for retirement plans to add private credit, private equity, real estate, and even cryptocurrency.

For private markets, the challenge is reconciling long-term illiquid investments with accounts built for daily pricing and trading.