Retirement Investors Are Interested in Private Equity. Experts Urge Caution.

Some investors want to spice up their retirement plans with exposure to private equity. Experts say that might not be right for everyone.

A recent survey by asset management company Schroders found that more than a third of investors participating in workplace retirement savings plans like 401(k)s would invest in private equity or private debt if they had access to it. Fourth-fifths, meanwhile, said they would put more money in their retirement plans if they had access to private market investments.

Private equity is an alternative investment that involves companies that aren’t available on public stock exchanges. The Department of Labor said in 2020 that defined contribution (DC) plans are allowed exposure to private equity through investing in a diversified fund.

Private equity investors acquire all or parts of the companies they invest in. While financial advisers say it can offer the potential for strong returns, they also urge caution.

Why Private Equity In 401(k)s May Not Be a Great Idea

Retail investors could score high returns—one that’s uncorrelated with public-market performance, which can make them attractive as an alternative to traditional stock markets—through private-market funds, said Andrew Herzog, a CFP at The Watchman Group.

Private equity funds are considered long-term investments. When private equity firms invest in private companies, they take an active role in the management of the companies in an attempt to boost their valuations. It can take years for returns to be realized.

“The downside would be the illiquidity—many times your money is locked up for years at a time,” said Herzog.

In addition to lower liquidity, private equity investments can be complicated in defined contribution plans because they have higher fees and lack price transparency, and are less liquid, according to Morningstar researchers.

“I wouldn’t recommend it,” said Herzog.

Many Retirement Plans Exclude Private Equity Options

Those issues are likely among the reasons retirement plan sponsors have been slow to have private equity as an option in their offerings. A report by Cerulli Associates earlier this year found that nearly half of defined-contribution asset managers were not planning to add private equity to workplace retirement plans.

Not all retirement experts think investors should avoid private equity completely. Kim Abmeyer, founder of Abmeyer Wealth Management, believes that the illiquidity of private equity investments can make them better for those who are further away from retirement.

And as more companies are funded by private equity, Abmeyer said, being able to invest in them through a retirement account gives workers access to otherwise untapped markets. 

“Private equity and alternatives like that are intended for longer time horizons. There’s no requirement to start taking distributions until [you’re] 73 years old,” said Abmeyer. “So you’ve got a nice runway for an investment like that to play out.”