Retirement Savers Showed High Interest in Private Markets

A survey found most participants in large company plans are open to private market assets despite noting higher fees.

Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Investing

Bold vector editorial illustration of a brass key and padlock, representing access to private market retirement investment opportunities. — A summer 2026 survey found that 86 percent of U.S. retirement plan participants are interested in diversifying their portfolios with private market assets. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Would you choose to include private market investments in your workplace retirement plan?

In summer 2026, a survey of 517 defined contribution plan participants across the United States revealed that 86 percent of workers are interested in including private market investments in their retirement portfolios. This sentiment follows previous polling conducted in winter 2026.

Why it matters

The findings reflect a growing appetite among retirement savers for alternative investment types historically excluded from standard defined contribution plans. Understanding this interest is essential as employees weigh the potential for higher returns against the reality of increased fee structures.

Among the 517 participants surveyed from organizations with more than 1,000 employees, 86 percent favored adding private market options to their plans. While 93 percent acknowledged the trade-off of higher fees for higher returns, the long-term impact on portfolio balances remains unknown.

The players

Invesco

An investment management company that provides mutual funds and retirement plan solutions to investors.

Ipsos

A global market research firm that partners with financial institutions to analyze consumer sentiment and behavioral trends.

The details

Private market investments typically offer different liquidity profiles and fee structures than traditional public equity or bond funds. Participants in this survey clearly identified the potential for both higher costs and higher performance as key attributes of these assets. Employees interested in such offerings should review their specific plan documents to see if alternative assets are currently available or planned for inclusion.

Winter 2026: Invesco conducted the initial defined contribution participant pulse survey.
Summer 2026: Invesco conducted the latest defined contribution participant pulse survey.

Money Landscape

The interest in private markets signals a shift in how retirement savers approach asset allocation within employer-sponsored plans. This move follows a long-standing trend of diversifying portfolios beyond standard mutual funds to seek potential alpha in private markets.

Retirement savers should check their current plan lineup to determine if alternative or private market assets are offered and evaluate how those options fit their risk tolerance. Discuss the role of alternative investments in a long-term strategy with a qualified financial professional.

The takeaway

Retirement savers are increasingly comfortable with the idea of trading higher fees for potential performance gains found in private markets. Review your retirement account summary annually to ensure your current asset mix aligns with your long-term goals and professional financial guidance.