Alternative Investments in 401(k)s: Risk, Rules & Reality

Williams Mullen

With growing interest in alternative investments—from private equity and digital assets to ESG—defined contribution plan sponsors face both fresh opportunities and heightened scrutiny. 

In this episode of Williams Mullen’s Benefits Companion, Brydon DeWitt is joined by Beryl Ball, Principal Financial Advisor at CAPTRUST, to explore how plan sponsors can assess these emerging asset classes, weigh participant demand, and use tools such as self-directed brokerage windows. They also examine the implications of President Trump’s August 7, 2025, executive order, which directs the Department of Labor, SEC, and Treasury to revisit ERISA guidance, develop potential safe harbors, and lower litigation risks for offering alternatives in 401(k) plans.

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