"So far, 401(k) plans aren't stampeding into alternatives. Industrywide, analysts and consultants say, well below 10% of assets is invested there. Most 'target date' funds, popular among employees who expect to retire on a specific date, don't yet hold any alternatives. But according to Lipper, the fund-research company, the 25 target-date funds with the biggest stake in derivatives -- futures, options and other instruments tied to the returns of stocks, bonds and commodities -- have an average of 36% of assets there. That indirect measure of exposure to alternatives is up from 21% a year ago."  MORE >>