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

Investing for accountability: How to frame a values-driven conversation with clients
Investing for accountability: How to frame a values-driven conversation with clients

By listening for what truly matters and where clients want to make a difference, advisors can avoid politics and help build more personal strategies.

Advisor moves: Raymond James ends week with $1B Commonwealth recruitment streak
Advisor moves: Raymond James ends week with $1B Commonwealth recruitment streak

JPMorgan and RBC have also welcomed ex-UBS advisors in Texas, while Steward Partners and SpirePoint make new additions in the Sun Belt.

Cook Lawyer says fraud claims are Trump’s ‘weapon of choice’
Cook Lawyer says fraud claims are Trump’s ‘weapon of choice’

Counsel representing Lisa Cook argued the president's pattern of publicly blasting the Fed calls the foundation for her firing into question.

SEC orders Vanguard, Empower to pay more than $25M over failures linked to advisor compensation
SEC orders Vanguard, Empower to pay more than $25M over failures linked to advisor compensation

The two firms violated the Advisers Act and Reg BI by making misleading statements and failing to disclose conflicts to retail and retirement plan investors, according to the regulator.

RIA moves: Wells Fargo pair joins &Partners in Virginia
RIA moves: Wells Fargo pair joins &Partners in Virginia

Elsewhere, two breakaway teams from Morgan Stanley and Merrill unite to form a $2 billion RIA, while a Texas-based independent merges with a Bay Area advisory practice.

SPONSORED How advisors can build for high-net-worth complexity

Orion's Tom Wilson on delivering coordinated, high-touch service in a world where returns alone no longer set you apart.

SPONSORED RILAs bring stability, growth during volatile markets

Barely a decade old, registered index-linked annuities have quickly surged in popularity, thanks to their unique blend of protection and growth potential—an appealing option for investors looking to chart a steadier course through today's choppy market waters, says Myles Lambert, Brighthouse Financial.