Alternative investing is no longer a niche retirement strategy. Conversations once limited to institutional investors are now taking place among policymakers, regulators, financial advisors, and individual retirement investors. The White House’s Democratizing Access to Alternative Assets for 401(k) Investors initiative, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) ongoing discussions surrounding retail participation in private markets, and growing advisor adoption all point to the same conclusion: alternative investments are becoming an increasingly important part of the retirement planning conversation.
While no single dataset tells the whole story, research from Cerulli Associates, the Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI), Schroders, and STRATA Trust Company highlights three trends shaping self-directed retirement investing.
By the Numbers
- $3.7 trillion – Projected advisor allocations to private market strategies by 2029 (Cerulli Associates)
- 45% – Workplace retirement plan participants would invest in private equity or private debt if available through their retirement plan (Schroders 2025 U.S. Retirement Survey)
- 64% – Americans confident they will have enough money to live comfortably throughout retirement (2026 EBRI/Greenwald Retirement Confidence Survey)
- 94% – 2025 Self-Directed IRA Investor Survey respondents reported being somewhat or very confident in achieving their retirement goals (STRATA Trust Company)
1. Alternative investments are expanding
Alternative investments are increasingly viewed as a complement to traditional stocks and bonds rather than a replacement. As policymakers, regulators, and industry leaders continue exploring ways to expand access to private markets, the conversation has broadened beyond institutional investors to include financial advisors and retirement savers.
Cerulli Associates projects financial advisor allocations to private market strategies will nearly double—from $1.9 trillion in 2026 to $3.7 trillion by 2029—reflecting growing demand for diversified investment opportunities. Schroders’ 2025 U.S. Retirement Survey also found growing investor interest in expanding retirement investment options, with nearly half of retirement plan participants indicating they would invest in private equity or private debt if those investments were available through their workplace retirement plan.
STRATA’s 2025 Self-Directed IRA Investor Survey Report reflects a similar trend. Seventy-one percent of respondents reported holding private equity investments in their self-directed retirement accounts, while venture capital, real estate syndications, and healthcare ranked among the top sectors attracting the greatest investor interest.
2. Investor confidence is rooted in long-term planning
Economic uncertainty continues to influence retirement planning, but disciplined investors remain focused on the long term. The 2026 EBRI/Greenwald Retirement Confidence Survey found that 64% of Americans were confident they would have enough money to live comfortably throughout retirement, down modestly from 67% in 2025, as concerns about inflation, healthcare costs, and the future of Social Security persisted. The survey also found that individuals who actively plan and save for retirement tend to report higher levels of confidence.
Schroders’ 2026 U.S. Retirement Survey reached a similar conclusion from another perspective. Many retirees reported wishing they had done more retirement planning before retiring, while nearly half said retirement expenses were higher than expected, reinforcing the importance of proactive, long-term financial planning.
STRATA’s 2025 Self-Directed IRA Investor Survey Report reflected a similar sentiment, with 94% of respondents reporting they were somewhat or very confident in achieving their retirement goals, underscoring the value many self-directed investors place on disciplined, long-term retirement planning.
3. Due diligence doesn’t end at funding
As alternative investing becomes more accessible, experienced investors increasingly recognize that successful investing involves more than evaluating an opportunity’s potential return. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and FINRA encourage investors to carefully review offering documents, investment risks, liquidity, fees, conflicts of interest, and issuer disclosures before investing.
In practice, due diligence continues throughout the life of an investment. Sponsor transparency, valuation reporting, documentation, cash management, and ongoing investment administration all contribute to a well-managed investment experience. Understanding these operational responsibilities helps investors make informed decisions and effectively manage privately held investments over the long term.
Looking Ahead
Several developments suggest the conversation around alternative retirement investing will continue to evolve. Policymakers are exploring broader access to private markets through initiatives such as the White House’s Democratizing Access to Alternative Assets for 401(k) Investors and the proposed INVEST Act, while the SEC continues evaluating how retail investors access private investments. At the same time, organizations such as Cerulli Associates and the Investment Company Institute (ICI) project continued growth in private market participation and the expansion of regulated investment structures.
While the pace and scope of these developments remain uncertain, the data suggests that successful self-directed investors will continue to combine thoughtful diversification with disciplined, long-term decision-making. As access to private markets expands, investors who stay informed and understand both the opportunities and ongoing responsibilities of alternative investments will be better positioned to navigate an evolving retirement landscape.