Investors not interested in cryptocurrency in retirement plans

Investors not interested in cryptocurrency in retirement plans
The ability to invest in cryptos ranked dead last among features that participants want to see in their retirement plans, Morningstar survey finds.
JUN 24, 2021

Investors most frequently ranked cryptocurrency as the least important of 16 possible features in a retirement plan, according to a survey by Morningstar.

“While advisers might find it worthwhile to gauge clients' interest in cryptocurrency, particularly Millennial and Gen Z clients — who were approximately five times as likely to prefer cryptocurrency in their retirement plan as Baby Boomers — it shouldn't be a primary factor in decision-making," Morningstar said in a commentary about the survey results. “People still tend to desire traditionally attractive features such as good employer matches and the availability of professional advice.”

Among the 16 plan features that investors ranked were quarterly performance statements, availability of professional advice, the number of investment alternatives, a mobile app and auto-escalation.

Although younger investors appear to find cryptocurrency more appealing than older investors, Morningstar said even younger investors generally remain hesitant about adding it to their retirement portfolios.

“They may be five times as likely to be interested in cryptocurrency, but that still adds up to less than 5% of the broader population of younger investors,” Morningstar said.

Robo facilitates investing in crypto

Latest News

Mesirow acquires part of flexPATH in second retirement deal of 2026
Mesirow acquires part of flexPATH in second retirement deal of 2026

Chicago-based Mesirow Fiduciary Solutions adds flexPATH's plan-level outsourced fiduciary book, boosting its retirement market reach to $164 billion.

Advisor moves: LPL lands $350M veteran advisor duo in Florida
Advisor moves: LPL lands $350M veteran advisor duo in Florida

Also, Raymond James's employee advisor channel adds breakaways from Wells Fargo and Stifel, while UBS welcomes an ex-Morgan Stanley duo in Indiana.

SEC accuses crypto firm founder of running $425 million Ponzi scheme
SEC accuses crypto firm founder of running $425 million Ponzi scheme

It promised guaranteed principal and 10% monthly returns. The SEC says it invested nothing.

MassMutual Ascend tops $2 billion in RIA annuity sales as advisors warm to income products
MassMutual Ascend tops $2 billion in RIA annuity sales as advisors warm to income products

Ten years after entering the fee-based annuity market, MassMutual Ascend says nearly half its lifetime sales came in the past two years alone – but barriers remain among fee-only advisors.

Fintech bytes: Wealth tech firms target advisor productivity with new integrations
Fintech bytes: Wealth tech firms target advisor productivity with new integrations

Amplify, WealthReach, Zeplyn and Zocks have unveiled partnerships aimed at automating portfolio management, content creation, account opening, and client communication.

SPONSORED Direct indexing webinar targets tax-loss harvesting amid market swings

Northern Trust’s Ken Lassner shows advisors how to convert volatility into after-tax portfolio gains

SPONSORED Who builds the income when the pension disappears?

Dan Biagini of American Equity says the steady decline of pensions, longer lifespans and a reset in interest rates are rewriting how advisors build retirement income